Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Joseph
BoyHebrew· “he will add”
- Meaning
- he will add
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- JOH-suhf
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #29
- US babies 2025
- 7,303
- Best rank
- #5 (1912)
- Peak year
- 1956
Meaning and origin of Joseph
Joseph is a Hebrew name that means “he will add”.
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, "he will add", a name Rachel gives in Genesis in hope of another son. The Joseph of Genesis, with his coat of many colors and gift for interpreting dreams, rises to power in Egypt. In the New Testament, Joseph of Nazareth is the husband of Mary, and devotion to Saint Joseph made the name common across Catholic Europe from the late Middle Ages. It became Giuseppe in Italian, José in Spanish and Józef in Polish, and several Holy Roman emperors bore it. English speakers have long found it dependable and warm. Joe and Joey are familiar nicknames, and the name fits comfortably in almost any setting.
Other spellings with the same sound: Josef.
Popularity over time
Joseph 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 #5 in 1912, and the most babies received it in 1956, when 32,749 were named Joseph. In 2025, 7,303 babies were named Joseph, and it ranked #29 nationally. That is 37% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #7 in 1920, #13 in 1950, #10 in 1980, #8 in 2000, #20 in 2010, and #29 in 2025. Of the 2,669,490 US boys named Joseph since records began, 11% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 299,411 babies. Since 2010, 162,056 more have been named Joseph.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kenneth, Steven, Paul, Douglas, and Randy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Joseph ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #5 | 374 |
| New York | #7 | 667 |
| Louisiana | #9 | 130 |
| Connecticut | #10 | 124 |
| Pennsylvania | #12 | 381 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Joseph is usually pronounced JOH-suhf, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with J and ends in “-ph”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Josef.
Middle names for Joseph
A few middle names that flow with Joseph: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Joseph
Similar names
David Boy
DAY-vihd
“beloved” · Hebrew
#35
Michael Boy
MY-kuhl
“who is like God?” · Hebrew
#21
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Matthew Boy
MATH-yoo
“gift of Yahweh” · Hebrew
#32
Jose Boy
hoh-ZAY
“he will add” · Spanish
#95
Peter Boy
PEE-tur
“stone” · Greek
#187
Stephen Boy
STEE-vuhn
“crown, wreath” · Greek
#383
Phillip Boy
FIH-luhp
“lover of horses” · Greek
#651
Philip Boy
FIH-luhp
“lover of horses” · Greek
#528
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
Thomas Boy
TAH-muhs
“twin” · Aramaic
#34
Miguel Boy
mee-GEHL
“who is like God?” · Spanish
#212
Lists that include Joseph
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joseph mean?
Joseph is a Hebrew name that means “he will add”.
What is the origin of the name Joseph?
Joseph has Hebrew roots. Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, "he will add", a name Rachel gives in Genesis in hope of another son.
Is Joseph a popular name?
Yes. Joseph ranked #29 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Joseph a boy or girl name?
Joseph is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Joseph?
Joseph is usually pronounced JOH-suhf. 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