Joseph Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Joseph Name Meaning

Fact: The name Joseph is considered the patron saint of various causes and groups, including the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, craftsmen, and workers.

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A Deep Dive

Joseph Overview

Meaning

He will add, God will add

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name Yosef

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒoʊ.sɪf/

Popularity

Recently ranked 30th in 2022 in USA

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Reliability, responsibility, nurturing disposition

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Significant in both Christianity and Judaism

Name Day

March 19th (Feast of St. Joseph)
A Deep Dive

Joseph Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Josef, Giuseppe, Yusuf, José, Jozef, Josip, Josep, Ioseph, Pepe, Josette

Common Nicknames

Joe, Joey, Jojo, Josie, Joss, Seppe, Pepito, Joep, Seph, Jody

Diminutives

Pepe, Pino, Beppe, Seppi, Zef, Joske, Sef, Osip, Peppe

Famous People

  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    (American Actor)
  • Joseph Stalin
    (Soviet Political Leader)
  • Joseph Fiennes
    (English Actor)
  • Joseph Morgan
    (English Actor)
  • Joseph Mazzello
    (American Actor)
  • etc.

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Joseph K.
    ("The Trial," Novel)
  • Joseph Cooper
    ("Interstellar," Film)
  • Joseph Oda
    ("The Evil Within," Video Game)
  • Joseph Frost
    ("Resident Evil," Video Game)

Places

  • Joseph City
    (Oregon, USA)
  • St. Joseph City
    (Missouri, USA)
  • Lake Joseph
    (Ontario, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Joseph?

The name Joseph means “he will add” or “God will add.” This name’s adaptability across different cultures and its rich biblical ties keep it a popular choice today.

What Is the Origin of The Name Joseph?

Originating from the Hebrew name Yosef with the meaningful definition. This name is rooted deep in history, appearing prominently in the Old and New Testaments.

In the Old Testament, Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob and Rachel. He is famous for his colorful coat, a gift from his father, which sparked jealousy among his brothers, leading them to sell him into slavery.

In the New Testament, Joseph is known as the earthly father of Jesus, showing his importance in the Christian faith as well. He is portrayed as a compassionate and caring figure with the virtues of forgiveness and resilience.

Joseph Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Joseph in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#282021#302022#292023
Top 3 Rankings#51912#51913#51914

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Joseph

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202329
(+1 from 2022)
7237
(-574 from 2022)
0.39522
202230
(-2 from 2021)
7811
(-335 from 2021)
0.41704
202128
(-2 from 2020)
8146
(-319 from 2020)
0.43478
202026
(-2 from 2019)
8465
(-697 from 2019)
0.45765
201924
(-1 from 2018)
9162
(-507 from 2018)
0.47675
201823
(-5 from 2017)
9669
(-810 from 2017)
0.49744
201718
(+2 from 2016)
10479
(-478 from 2016)
0.52948
201620
(+1 from 2015)
10957
(-569 from 2015)
0.54092
201521
(-1 from 2014)
11526
(-619 from 2014)
0.56377
201420
No change from 2013
12145
(-129 from 2013)
0.59267
201320
(-1 from 2012)
12274
(-313 from 2012)
0.60741
201219
(+3 from 2011)
12587
(-405 from 2011)
0.62030
201122
(-2 from 2010)
12992
(-859 from 2010)
0.63955
201020
(-5 from 2009)
13851
(-1094 from 2009)
0.67421
200915
(-2 from 2008)
14945
(-1650 from 2008)
0.70465
200813
No change from 2007
16595
(-761 from 2007)
0.76109
200713
(-2 from 2006)
17356
(-1107 from 2006)
0.78354
200611
(-2 from 2005)
18463
(-769 from 2005)
0.84215
20059
No change from 2004
19232
(-910 from 2004)
0.90404
20049
(-3 from 2003)
20142
(-1243 from 2003)
0.95308
20036
(+1 from 2002)
21385
(-531 from 2002)
1.01777
20027
(+1 from 2001)
21916
(-110 from 2001)
1.06046
20018
No change from 2000
22026
(-817 from 2000)
1.06488
20008
No change from 1999
22843
(-375 from 1999)
1.09384
19998
(+3 from 1998)
23218
(+33 from 1998)
1.13869
199811
(+1 from 1997)
23185
(-416 from 1997)
1.14345
199712
No change from 1996
23601
(-1155 from 1996)
1.18136
199612
No change from 1995
24756
(-593 from 1995)
1.23550
199512
(-1 from 1994)
25349
(-381 from 1994)
1.26029
199411
(+1 from 1993)
25730
(-1283 from 1993)
1.26230
199312
(-1 from 1992)
27013
(-888 from 1992)
1.30781
199211
(-2 from 1991)
27901
(-1937 from 1991)
1.32915
19919
(+1 from 1990)
29838
(-291 from 1990)
1.40766
199010
(+1 from 1989)
30129
(+247 from 1989)
1.40003
198911
(+1 from 1988)
29882
(+865 from 1988)
1.42568
198812
No change from 1987
29017
(+498 from 1987)
1.44921
198712
No change from 1986
28519
(-315 from 1986)
1.46236
198612
(-2 from 1985)
28834
(-1385 from 1985)
1.50045
198510
No change from 1984
30219
(-292 from 1984)
1.57030
198410
(+1 from 1983)
30511
(+63 from 1983)
1.62578
198311
No change from 1982
30448
(-592 from 1982)
1.63384
198211
No change from 1981
31040
(+275 from 1981)
1.64478
198111
(-1 from 1980)
30765
(+581 from 1980)
1.65192
198010
(+1 from 1979)
30184
(+1531 from 1979)
1.62738
197911
(-1 from 1978)
28653
(+1988 from 1978)
1.59955
197810
No change from 1977
26665
(+178 from 1977)
1.56063
197710
(+2 from 1976)
26487
(+2432 from 1976)
1.54953
197612
No change from 1975
24055
(+1929 from 1975)
1.47343
197512
No change from 1974
22126
(+292 from 1974)
1.36378
197412
No change from 1973
21834
(+507 from 1973)
1.33930
197312
No change from 1972
21327
(-1130 from 1972)
1.32167
197212
(+3 from 1971)
22457
(-2059 from 1971)
1.34148
197115
(+1 from 1970)
24516
(-2204 from 1970)
1.34861
197016
(-1 from 1969)
26720
(+540 from 1969)
1.40279
196915
(+1 from 1968)
26180
(+786 from 1968)
1.43126
196816
(-1 from 1967)
25394
(-537 from 1967)
1.43029
196715
No change from 1966
25931
(-1053 from 1966)
1.45726
196615
(-4 from 1965)
26984
(-1653 from 1965)
1.48457
196511
No change from 1964
28637
(-1923 from 1964)
1.51150
196411
(+2 from 1963)
30560
(+484 from 1963)
1.50762
196313
No change from 1962
30076
(-9 from 1962)
1.45672
196213
(-1 from 1961)
30085
(+629 from 1961)
1.43147
196112
No change from 1960
29456
(-284 from 1960)
1.36561
196012
(+1 from 1959)
29740
(+213 from 1959)
1.37345
195913
(-1 from 1958)
29527
(-579 from 1958)
1.36291
195812
No change from 1957
30106
(-1744 from 1957)
1.39711
195712
No change from 1956
31850
(-900 from 1956)
1.45507
195612
(+1 from 1955)
32750
(+1167 from 1955)
1.52593
195513
No change from 1954
31583
(+358 from 1954)
1.51096
195413
No change from 1953
31225
(+1959 from 1953)
1.50908
195313
(-1 from 1952)
29266
(+755 from 1952)
1.46168
195212
(+2 from 1951)
28511
(+361 from 1951)
1.44485
195114
(-1 from 1950)
28150
(+1129 from 1950)
1.47253
195013
(+1 from 1949)
27021
(+617 from 1949)
1.48564
194914
(-1 from 1948)
26404
(-399 from 1948)
1.46526
194813
(+1 from 1947)
26803
(-716 from 1947)
1.50347
194714
No change from 1946
27519
(+3236 from 1946)
1.48144
194614
No change from 1945
24283
(+3461 from 1945)
1.47135
194514
(-1 from 1944)
20822
(-353 from 1944)
1.51825
194413
No change from 1943
21175
(-1651 from 1943)
1.52430
194313
(-2 from 1942)
22826
(+397 from 1942)
1.56921
194211
(+1 from 1941)
22429
(+2621 from 1941)
1.59263
194112
No change from 1940
19808
(+1602 from 1940)
1.57850
194012
No change from 1939
18206
(+483 from 1939)
1.53486
193912
No change from 1938
17723
(-17 from 1938)
1.56383
193812
No change from 1937
17740
(+418 from 1937)
1.56094
193712
(-1 from 1936)
17322
(-130 from 1936)
1.58388
193611
(-1 from 1935)
17452
(+270 from 1935)
1.63976
193510
No change from 1934
17182
(+72 from 1934)
1.60641
193410
(-1 from 1933)
17110
(-51 from 1933)
1.61121
19339
No change from 1932
17161
(-1406 from 1932)
1.68213
19329
No change from 1931
18567
(-760 from 1931)
1.72807
19319
No change from 1930
19327
(-1651 from 1930)
1.80664
19309
No change from 1929
20978
(-188 from 1929)
1.85726
19299
No change from 1928
21166
(-1153 from 1928)
1.91097
19289
No change from 1927
22319
(-1187 from 1927)
1.95581
19279
(-1 from 1926)
23506
(-250 from 1926)
2.02303
19268
(-1 from 1925)
23756
(-857 from 1925)
2.07396
19257
No change from 1924
24613
(-808 from 1924)
2.13762
19247
No change from 1923
25421
(-140 from 1923)
2.17453
19237
No change from 1922
25561
(-138 from 1922)
2.25749
19227
No change from 1921
25699
(-483 from 1921)
2.28396
19217
No change from 1920
26182
(+595 from 1920)
2.30084
19207
No change from 1919
25587
(+1321 from 1919)
2.32444
19197
No change from 1918
24266
(-1995 from 1918)
2.38997
19187
(-2 from 1917)
26261
(+1500 from 1917)
2.50427
19175
No change from 1916
24761
(+878 from 1916)
2.58113
19165
No change from 1915
23883
(+832 from 1915)
2.58687
19155
No change from 1914
23051
(+4222 from 1914)
2.61668
19145
No change from 1913
18829
(+4358 from 1913)
2.75552
19135
No change from 1912
14471
(+2409 from 1912)
2.69857
19125
(+1 from 1911)
12062
(+5574 from 1911)
2.67180
19116
No change from 1910
6488
(+1260 from 1910)
2.68771
19106
No change from 1909
5228
(+880 from 1909)
2.50724
19096
No change from 1908
4348
(+186 from 1908)
2.45840
19086
(+1 from 1907)
4162
(+318 from 1907)
2.50170
19077
No change from 1906
3844
(+317 from 1906)
2.42395
19067
No change from 1905
3527
(+225 from 1905)
2.44818
19057
No change from 1904
3302
(+11 from 1904)
2.30533
19047
(-1 from 1903)
3291
(+170 from 1903)
2.37612
19036
(+1 from 1902)
3121
(+23 from 1902)
2.41336
19027
(-1 from 1901)
3098
(+332 from 1901)
2.33371
19016
(+1 from 1900)
2766
(-948 from 1900)
2.39290
19007
(-1 from 1899)
3714
(+1035 from 1899)
2.29084
18996
No change from 1898
2679
(-492 from 1898)
2.32564
18986
No change from 1897
3171
(+344 from 1897)
2.40047
18976
No change from 1896
2827
(-224 from 1896)
2.31832
18966
(+1 from 1895)
3051
(+59 from 1895)
2.36383
18957
(-1 from 1894)
2992
(+15 from 1894)
2.36257
18946
No change from 1893
2977
(-20 from 1893)
2.38366
18936
(+1 from 1892)
2997
(-67 from 1892)
2.47602
18927
No change from 1891
3064
(+492 from 1891)
2.33089
18917
No change from 1890
2572
(-98 from 1890)
2.35391
18907
No change from 1889
2670
(-59 from 1889)
2.23058
18897
No change from 1888
2729
(-264 from 1888)
2.29266
18887
No change from 1887
2993
(+537 from 1887)
2.30396
18877
No change from 1886
2456
(-138 from 1886)
2.24680
18867
No change from 1885
2594
(+54 from 1885)
2.17908
18857
No change from 1884
2540
(-167 from 1884)
2.19069
18847
No change from 1883
2707
(+192 from 1883)
2.20551
18837
No change from 1882
2515
(-155 from 1882)
2.23605
18827
No change from 1881
2670
(+214 from 1881)
2.18797
18817
No change from 1880
2456
(-176 from 1880)
2.26828
18807
First SSA data recorded
2632
First SSA data recorded
2.22299

American States Popularity Rankings for Joseph

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#42021#42022#52023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#192021#172022#162023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#422021#472022#462023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#42021#42022#42023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#202021#332022#252023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#312021#242022#252023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#242021#142022#242023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#442021#382022#492023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#252021#292022#272023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#322021#392022#472023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#152021#152022#252023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#372021#432022#382023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#322021#422022#452023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#242021#222022#392023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#332021#322022#252023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#222021#282022#172023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#112021#132022#162023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#312021#312022#372023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#322021#472022#462023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#302021#442022#432023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#522021#272022#392023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#272021#292022#312023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#532021#342022#432023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#302021#152022#182023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#382021#502022#472023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#592021#332022#632023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#492021#692022#482023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#342021#342022#582023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#152021#202022#772023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#452021#412022#482023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#282021#202022#262023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#372021#432022#522023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#192021#462022#332023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#542021#322022#552023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#602021#292022#632023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#132021#272022#262023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#492021#292022#502023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#252021#242022#272023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#522021#842022#812023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#712021#922022#172023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#92021#222022#642023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#552021#482022#292023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#232021#502022#372023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#432021#732022#922023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1032021#682022#262023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#552021#722022#852023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#352021#542022#762023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#342021#1482022#922023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#302021#352022#322023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#442021#782022#242023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#402021#382022#422023

Popularity Rankings for Joseph in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#192020#32022#62023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#342019#382020#462021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#442021#512022#352023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#402021#482022#762023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#462021#612022#692023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#482021#622022#662023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#542021#552022#972023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#752020#802021#882022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#762021#882022#942023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1142021#1802022#1292023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1432020#1162021#1222022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1431996#1841997#1822001

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1762018#1932020#1872021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2932022#3212023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#3702020#3332021#3992022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#5192020#3662021#4482022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4542021#4372022#4242023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Joseph a Name for Boys or Girls?

The name Joseph is traditionally a masculine name and is most commonly used for boys. predominantly featured in Christianity and Judaism religions.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Joseph

Joseph in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Actor, born 1981): Known for his roles in "500 Days of Summer" and "Inception," he began acting at a young age in the series "3rd Rock from the Sun."
  • Joseph Stalin (Political Leader, 1878-1953): Soviet dictator known for his role in the USSR's transformation into a superpower and for his brutal regime.
  • Joseph Fiennes (Actor, born 1970): Acclaimed for portraying William Shakespeare in "Shakespeare in Love" and roles in "Elizabeth" and "American Horror Story."
  • Joseph Morgan (Actor, born 1981): Best recognized for his role as Niklaus 'Klaus' Mikaelson in the TV series "The Vampire Diaries" and its spin-off "The Originals."
  • Joseph Mazzello (Actor, born 1983): Notable for his childhood role in "Jurassic Park" and later performances in "The Social Network" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
  • Joseph Quinn (Actor, born 1993): Known for his role as Eddie Munson in the Netflix series "Stranger Things."
  • Joseph Schooling (Swimmer, born 1995): Olympic gold medalist who won the 100m butterfly at the 2016 Rio Olympics, marking Singapore's first Olympic gold.
  • Joseph Haydn (Composer, 1732-1809): Prominent Austrian composer of the Classical period, known for his symphonies and string quartets.
  • Joseph Conrad (Writer, 1857-1924): Polish-British novelist famous for "Heart of Darkness" and his narrative style deep with psychological insight.
  • Joseph Barbera (Animator, 1911-2006): Co-founder of Hanna-Barbera, creating beloved animated series such as "The Flintstones" and "Scooby-Doo."
  • Joseph K. ("The Trial," 1925 Novel): Follows Joseph K., a banker who is inexplicably arrested and must defend himself against a mysterious charge.
  • Joseph Cooper ("Interstellar," 2014 Film): Centers on Cooper, an engineer and pilot tasked with joining a space expedition to find humanity a new home as Earth's conditions deteriorate.
  • Joseph Oda ("The Evil Within," 2014 Video Game): Features Joseph, a detective investigating a gruesome series of murders in a horror-filled storyline.
  • Joseph Frost ("Resident Evil," 1996 Video Game): Portrays Frost as a member of the special police unit S.T.A.R.S., battling zombies and other bio-organic weapons.
  • Joseph City (Oregon, USA): A quaint city in Eastern Oregon, celebrated for its vibrant art community and scenic natural surroundings.
  • St. Joseph City (Missouri, USA): A city renowned for its historical significance as the launch point of the Pony Express and the site where Jesse James met his demise.
  • Lake Joseph (Ontario, Canada): A favored destination for its recreational offerings and idyllic cottage lifestyle.
  • Joseph Bonaparte Gulf (Northern Australia): A vast gulf known for its expansive waters off the coast.

Similar Names to Joseph