A 1904 Chamber of Commerce booklet printed the city’s name as “San José (San Hosay)” in its title, and a souvenir book of 1901 explained that San Jose, meaning Saint Joseph, is pronounced “San Hosay.” The cathedral on the plaza is named for the same saint.
Questions people ask
How do you pronounce San Jose?
San Ho-ZAY; old guides spelled it “San Hosay.”
What does San José mean?
Saint Joseph, the town’s patron saint.