Joseph: Meaning, origin and popularity

Pronounced JOH-suhf · 2 syllables

Joseph means “God will increase”, from Hebrew.

From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew (Yosef, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf. Noun sense 1 (“one whose chastity is above temptation”) is a reference to the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39.

Meaning: God will increase
Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: JOH-suhf
US rank (2025): #29
US babies a year: about 7,579 (2021–2025)
Peak: around 1910
Style: Vintage, Classic, Biblical
Nicknames: Joe, Joey

How popular is Joseph?

Joseph was the #29 name in the US in 2025, given to 7,315 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 39% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1910.

Babies named Joseph in the US by five-year period, relative to its peak (around 1910).

Most popular in New Jersey (#5), New York (#7), Louisiana (#9), Connecticut (#10).

Around the world

Country	Rank
United States	#29
England & Wales	#38
Scotland	#69
Northern Ireland	#36
Ireland	#66
France	#89
Norway	#448
Canada	#61
Australia	#65

How old are people named Joseph?

Half of US adults named Joseph are older than 49; most are between 22 and 81. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)

Sibling names for Joseph

Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Joseph have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.

Names like Joseph

Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.

On these lists

Questions about Joseph

What does the name Joseph mean?

Joseph means “God will increase”. It comes from Hebrew.

How do you pronounce Joseph?

Joseph is pronounced JOH-suhf.

How popular is the name Joseph?

Joseph was the #29 name in the US in 2025, given to 7,315 babies. It’s used less than it was: down 39% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1910.

How old are people named Joseph?

Half of US adults named Joseph are older than 49. Most are between 22 and 81.