Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Joe
BoyEnglish, Hebrew· “he will add; short for Joseph”
- Meaning
- he will add; short for Joseph
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JOH
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #994
- US babies 2025
- 230
- Best rank
- #20 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1936
Meaning and origin of Joe
Joe is an English and Hebrew name that means “he will add; short for Joseph”.
Joe is the short form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning he will add. Joseph is a central figure in Genesis and the husband of Mary in the Gospels, and the name has been used across the Christian world for centuries. Joe became a standalone name in the United States in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and it is so familiar that phrases such as an average Joe describe an everyday person. Many athletes, musicians and politicians have borne it. Joe is simple and friendly, and it works well as a middle name.
Other spellings with the same sound: Jo, Joh.
Popularity over time
Joe has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #20 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1936, when 8,023 were named Joe. In 2025, 230 babies were named Joe, and it ranked #994 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #35 in 1920, #54 in 1950, #140 in 1980, #315 in 2000, #453 in 2010, and #994 in 2025. Of the 453,255 US boys named Joe since records began, 16% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 71,470 babies. Since 2010, 6,216 more have been named Joe.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Bobby and Gene.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joe ranked highest in Texas, Minnesota, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #541 | 60 |
| Minnesota | #751 | 6 |
| Louisiana | #835 | 5 |
| California | #851 | 28 |
| Indiana | #900 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Joe is usually pronounced JOH, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with J and ends in “-oe”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Jo and Joh.
Middle names for Joe
A few middle names that flow with Joe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joe
Similar names
Sam Boy
SAM
“God has heard; short for Samuel” · Hebrew
#647
Noe Boy
noh-AY
“rest, comfort” · Spanish
#755
Jack Boy
JAK
“Yahweh is gracious” · English
#15
Jude Boy
JOOD
“praised” · Hebrew
#155
Jake Boy
JAYK
“short form of Jacob” · English
#457
Zeke Boy
ZEEK
“God strengthens” · Hebrew
#803
Joan Unisex
JOHN
“God is gracious” · English
#987
Ike Boy
EYEK
“short for Isaac: he will laugh” · English
#2,460
Abe Boy
AYB
“short for Abraham: father of multitudes” · Hebrew
#2,207
Jess Boy
JES
“short for Jesse or Jessica” · English
#5,299
Johnny Boy
JAH-nee
“God is gracious” · English
#458
Frank Boy
FRANGK
“a Frank; free, candid” · Germanic
#514
Lists that include Joe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joe mean?
Joe is an English and Hebrew name that means “he will add; short for Joseph”.
What is the origin of the name Joe?
Joe has English and Hebrew roots. Joe is the short form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning he will add.
Is Joe a popular name?
Yes. Joe ranked #994 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Joe a boy or girl name?
Joe is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Joe?
Joe is usually pronounced JOH. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings