Yossi Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOH-see //ˈjoʊ.si//
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God will add
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yossi is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name Yosef, which translates to "He will add" or "God will add." The name Yosef itself can be traced back to the biblical figure Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who is a prominent character in the Book of Genesis. The Hebrew name Yosef was later adopted into Greek as Ioseph and subsequently into Latin as Iosephus, before making its way into various European languages, including English as Joseph.
The diminutive form Yossi is commonly used in modern Hebrew as a familiar or affectionate variant of Yosef. Historically, the name Joseph has significant biblical roots, with Joseph being a key figure in the narrative of the Israelites' journey in Egypt.
His story includes themes of betrayal, resilience, and divine providence, which have resonated through centuries. The name Joseph has been borne by numerous saints, including Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, who is venerated in Christianity.
The prominence of the name in religious texts, such as the Septuagint and the Vulgate, as well as its inclusion in the King James Bible, has contributed to its enduring legacy. Culturally, the name Yossi and its root Yosef have been associated with qualities such as growth and abundance, reflecting the meaning "He will add." This association has made the name significant in Jewish tradition, often chosen for boys born during times of hope or new beginnings.
The name has also been embraced in various cultural contexts, symbolizing familial bonds and continuity. The affectionate form Yossi is particularly prevalent in Israeli culture, where it conveys warmth and familiarity.
Famous people named Yossi
In this section, you will find notable people named Yossi. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Yossi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yossi who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Yossi Benayoun is a former professional footballer best known for playing with Liverpool, Chelsea, and the Israeli national team.
Yossi Ghinsberg is an author and adventurer best known for his book Jungle, which recounts his survival story in the Amazon rainforest.
Yossi Vardi is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist best known for his involvement in the Israeli high-tech industry and founding numerous startups.
Fictional characters named Yossi
The following list of fictional characters named Yossi is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Yossi is a fictional character from the film Yossi & Jagger. He is a young Israeli soldier navigating his identity and love in a challenging environment.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yossi, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Yossi was first seen in the United States in 1990.
Yossi has ranked as high as #1327 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in New York.
In the past 5 years the name Yossi has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yossi is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Yossi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yossi (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 34 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Yossi.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 43 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2020 | 31 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1990 | 6 |