Log in · Sign up

Joseph Boy

Popularity: #32 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationJOE-sef / /ˈdʒoʊsəf/

Hebrew; Latin; Greek

Meaning

Hebrew: He will add; Latin: Iosephus; Greek: Iōsēph

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Joseph has its roots in the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef), which means "He will add" or "God will increase." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Joseph is a significant figure, known as the favored son of Jacob and Rachel. His story, which includes being sold into slavery by his brothers and later rising to power in Egypt, is a central narrative in the Book of Genesis, dating back to the 1st millennium BCE. The name was later adopted into Greek as Ἰωσήφ (Ioseph) and subsequently into Latin as Iosephus, which laid the groundwork for its entry into various European languages, including Old French as Josse and Middle English as Joseph.

Throughout history, the name Joseph has been borne by numerous notable figures, including saints and biblical scholars. One of the most prominent is Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus, who is venerated in Christianity. His significance is underscored in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which were composed in the 1st century CE. The name gained further prominence through various translations of the Bible, including the Latin Vulgate and the King James Bible in the early 17th century, which helped to disseminate the name widely across Christian cultures.

Culturally, Joseph has been associated with themes of resilience, forgiveness, and divine providence, largely due to the biblical narratives surrounding his life. The name has also inspired various artistic and literary works, including plays, novels, and operas, which reflect its enduring significance. In addition, diminutive forms such as Joe or Joey have emerged in various cultures, contributing to the name's adaptability and continued relevance in different contexts. Overall, Joseph remains a name rich in historical and cultural significance, reflecting a legacy that spans millennia.

Trend Summary

Joseph has consistently remained a popular name in the United States, often ranking within the top 50 names for boys.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Joe
  • Jos
  • Jose
  • Joey

International Variants

  • Giuseppe (Italian)
  • José (Spanish)
  • Yosef (Hebrew)
  • Josef (German)
  • Józef (Polish)

Famous people named Joseph

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an actor and filmmaker best known for Inception, 500 Days of Summer, and The Dark Knight Rises.

Joseph Campbell is a writer and mythologist best known for The Hero with a Thousand Faces, The Power of Myth, and A Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Joseph Haydn is a composer best known for The Creation, The Seasons, and his symphonies.

Joseph Conrad is a novelist best known for Heart of Darkness, Lord Jim, and Nostromo.

Joseph Fiennes is an actor best known for Shakespeare in Love, The Handmaid's Tale, and Elizabeth.

Joseph Lister is a surgeon best known for pioneering antiseptic surgery and promoting the use of sterilization in medical procedures.

Joseph Pulitzer is a journalist and newspaper publisher best known for establishing the Pulitzer Prizes and his influence on American journalism.

Joseph Stiglitz is an economist best known for his work on information asymmetry and for winning the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.

Joseph Smith is a religious leader best known for founding the Latter Day Saint movement and translating the Book of Mormon.

Fictional characters named Joseph

Joseph Joestar is a fictional character from the manga and anime series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. He is one of the main protagonists known for his clever tactics and strong will in battling supernatural foes.

Joseph Morgan is a fictional character from the TV series The Originals. He is a powerful vampire and the original hybrid, known for his complex relationships and leadership in the supernatural community.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Joseph was first seen in the United States in 1880. Joseph has ranked as high as #19 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Joseph has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Joseph (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 745
11%
TX 691
10%
NY 683
10%
FL 399
6%
PA 333
5%
OH 262
4%
IL 251
4%
NC 215
3%
GA 212
3%
MA 198
3%
VA 187
3%
MI 172
3%
TN 160
2%
IN 156
2%
WA 145
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18802,632
18812,456
18822,670
18832,515
18842,707
18852,540
18862,594
18872,456
18882,993
18892,729
18902,670
18912,572
18923,064
18932,997
18942,977
18952,992
18963,051
18972,827
18983,171
18992,679
19003,714
19012,766
19023,098
19033,121
19043,291
19053,302
19063,527
19073,844
19084,162
19094,348
19105,228
19116,488
191212,062
191314,471
191418,829
191523,051
191623,883
191724,761
191826,261
191924,266
192025,587
192126,182
192225,699
192325,561
192425,421
192524,614
192623,756
192723,505
192822,319
192921,165
193020,981
193119,327
193218,565
193317,162
193417,110
193517,182
193617,452
193717,323
193817,740
193917,723
194018,207
194119,808
194222,429
194322,827
194421,175
194520,821
194624,284
194727,521
194826,802
194926,407
195027,022
195128,148
195228,510
195329,267
195431,224
195531,587
195632,748
195731,853
195830,110
195929,537
196029,744
196129,454
196230,089
196330,080
196430,563
196528,633
196626,983
196725,927
196825,396
196926,177
197026,718
197124,514
197222,456
197321,327
197421,835
197522,127
197624,056
197726,485
197826,667
197928,653
198030,185
198130,764
198231,041
198330,444
198430,511
198530,219
198628,832
198728,519
198829,019
198929,882
199030,134
199129,839
199227,902
199327,013
199425,732
199525,352
199624,758
199723,603
199823,186
199923,219
200022,843
200122,030
200221,918
200321,392
200420,145
200519,235
200618,467
200717,361
200816,597
200914,949
201013,851
201112,994
201212,589
201312,276
201412,151
201511,528
201610,961
201710,485
20189,677
20199,174
20208,479
20218,155
20227,828
20237,268
20247,223