Joseph
First Name Meaning, Usage, Popularity & Related Names
Joseph is a Hebrew name meaning “may he add”. It is a popular name, overwhelmingly used for boys, with 99.79% male usage.
Meaning & Origin of the name Joseph
Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'may he add' or 'God will increase'. In the Hebrew Bible, it is the name of the favored son of Jacob who rose to prominence in Egypt. Its enduring historical legacy is reinforced by the presence of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and by its inclusion in the Qur'an.
Meaning Comments
- Sadlilslave: Glory without the impression of success.
- Clue_n_skill: The name Joseph means "God will increase", JAH meaning God or the Lord (See "EL") or BELOVED (God is Love). Different name etymologies for SEPH portion, include "multiplies, adds, or increases". I suggest that increases also means in crosses. To add or multiply is the same symbol, x or + turned. I also point out how much SEPH sounds like SAVE. I suggest to you all that DAVIDs, AMYs, and Joe/JOSEPHs tend to be prolific babymakers.
- Lordbalzac1: Connotation for the name Joseph means "God will increase".
Gender Usage of the Name Joseph
Overall Gender Classification Methodology
Joseph is overwhelmingly used as a name for boys. Approximately 99.79% of recorded bearers are male. This classification is supported by extensive records and is considered highly reliable.
Popularity of the Name Joseph
Joseph is among the Top 7 Trending Boys’ name in the United Kingdom for 2026
Joseph is among the Top 79 Trending Boys’ name in Canada for 2025
Joseph is among the Top 10 Trending Boys’ name in Australia for 2026
Note: Green bars show popularity (% of births); the violet line shows historical ranking. Data is based on official government birth records. Click any chart to view details by year and region.
Overall PopularityMethodology
Joseph is listed under Popular Boy Names worldwide. Its popularity is relatively consistent across the available regional markets.
| Region | Popularity | Birth Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Popular | 1 in every 252 births |
| United Kingdom | Popular | 1 in every 1.5K births |
| Canada | Popular | 1 in every 578 births |
| Australia | Popular | 1 in every 270 births |
Ranking OverviewMethodology
Joseph ranked #29 on the Popular Boys’ Names Worldwide List (2025). It rose from #46 in 2024 — an improvement of 17 places. A widely recognized choice, Joseph has maintained a steady Top-100 presence.
Historically, its best recorded position was #4, achieved in multiple years (1925–1937) — 8 years total. Its lowest recorded position was #61 in 2023. Over the last 5 years (2020–2025) the name rose 17 places (from #46 to #29).
Name StyleMethodology
Joseph is classified as Timeless Boy Names because it appears across 100% of recorded years, averages 24,534 births per year over its full timeline, and still averages 8,856 births per year recently.Characteristics of the Name Joseph
Pronunciation & StructureMethodology
- Phonetic Source
- CMU
- Syllables
- 2 syllables — Two-Syllable Boy Names
- Length
- 6 letters — Medium-Length Boy Names
- Starts with
- J — Boy Names Starting with J
- Ends with
- h — Boy Names Ending in “h”
Name AestheticMethodology
Joseph utilizes a two-syllableinitial stress, delivering a steady and reliable auditory impression. The name is heavily associated with Saint Joseph and Joseph of Egypt, providing an Elegant & Timeless cultural foundation. Its phonetic balance reflects a sense of enduring stability.
Middle Names For Joseph
Middle names used with JosephMethodology
Joseph is most frequently used with these boy middle names: Joseph Michael · Joseph Anthony · Joseph Edward · Joseph William · Joseph ThomasView all 1,894 boy middle names.
- Total 4,278 middle names used with Joseph
- 783 girl middle names used with Joseph
- 1,382 unisex middle names used with Joseph
Middle name suggestions for JosephMethodology
Based on observed first-middle-name pattern combinations, Joseph is most frequently associated with boy middle names that have 2 syllables, Strong–Weak stress pattern, 5 letters, and a starting sound of “a”.
Examples: Joseph Allen · Joseph Allan · Joseph Alvin · Joseph Asher · Joseph Anson. View all 74 suggested middle names.
Associations of the Name Joseph
Biblical ReferencesMethodology
As one of the Biblical Boy Names, Joseph appears 243 times throughout the Bible. Selected verses include:
- Old Testament - Genesis (GEN 30:24):
And she gave him the name Joseph, saying, May the Lord give me another son.
- Old Testament - Exodus (EXO 1:5):
All the offspring of Jacob were seventy persons: and Joseph had come to Egypt before them.
Royal UsageMethodology
Featured among Royal Boy Names, Joseph has been used by 14 members of European royal families, including:
- Joseph of Saxe- Altenburg (1808–1868) — Duke
- Francis Joseph (1861–1924)
Flower AssociationsMethodology
As one of the Flower-Inspired Boy Names, Joseph appears as part of the common names of 2 flower species, including:
- Joseph-and-mary (Pulmonaria officinalis L.) — Boraginaceae
- Joseph And Mary (Pulmonaria longifolia (Bastard) Boreau) — Boraginaceae
Additional Natural MatchesMethodology
The complete dataset includes 3 biological records matching the name Joseph. Browse all matching records with their scientific names and taxonomic details.
Names Similar to Joseph
Sound Like Joseph Finder
Names with the exact same overall pronunciation and sound: Joesph · Josef · Jozef · View all 13 names
Spelled Like Joseph Finder
Names with similar spelling patterns and letter sequences: Joeseph · Josephe · Josseph · View all 9 names
Same Starting Sound Finder
Names that begin with a similar phonetic sound: James · John · George · View all Top 100 names
Rhymes With Joseph Finder
Names that share similar ending sounds and rhymes: Ralph · Jeff · Randolph · View all Top 100 names
Same Rhythm & Syllables Finder
Names with matching syllable stress and pronunciation rhythm: Robert · Michael · William · View all Top 100 names
Dictionary & Etymology of “Joseph”
Dictionary Meaning of "Joseph"Methodology
Eleventh and favorite son of Jacob, by his wife Rachel
Examples
- Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
- A few shocks of corn in a corner of the fallow stood up as if alive; she imagined them bowing; perhaps her son would be a Joseph.
The husband of Saint Mary and the father of Jesus
Examples
- Meronym: Holy Family
- And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.
The 12th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an
Joseph of Arimathea; man who donated his own prepared tomb for the burial of Jesus
A male given name from Hebrew
Examples
- I'm going to call him Joseph / or Josephine if it's a girl. / Why? / Because it's a strong name, / Joe, Joseph. / You give a kid a name like Cameron / or Alfred, or something like that, / and they end up wearing glasses / and looking at computers for the rest of their life. / - - - So Joe it is. / He'll turn out strong. Strong and smart.
A surname
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- An English surname originating as a patronymic.
- A French surname originating as a patronymic.
A locale in the United States
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- A city in Wallowa County, Oregon; named for Nez Perce chief Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (called "Chief Joseph" in English).
- A town in Sevier County, Utah; named for Mormon apostle Joseph Angell Young.
- A ghost town in Idaho County, Idaho; named for Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it (Chief Joseph).
Alternative Forms
Jos.
Translations
The name Joseph has 367 translations, for example: in Spanish it is rendered as male given name, in French it is rendered as 12th sura of the Qur'an, etc..
More Info
How to Spell Joseph in ASL
- J
- o
- s
- e
- p
- h
Comments on the name Joseph
Community CommentsShowing 5 of 97 comments
Monkey_chops
Also Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.
Slayer_gohan
Joseph Bitangcol is a Filipino television and film actor. He is one of the first batch of the reality talent search Star Circle Quest on ABS-CBN.
K_uvah_yila
In 2018, 28 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Joseph who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 9th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
Clobber_head
Yusuf is the Arabic version of this name.
The_ownhero
If I name my boy Joey, would it be too hard for him to go back to "Joseph" as he grows up? I feel that Joseph is a better name for adults.