Joseph

Meaning & Origin

Meaning: He Will Add; God Adds

Background: The name Joseph originates from the Hebrew name Yosef (יוֹסֵף), meaning 'He will add' or 'God adds.' This name was adopted into Greek as Ἰωσήφ (Iōsēph) and later into Latin as Iosephus, where it retained the same meaning.

At a glance

Quick stats based on the history of this name.

Lifetime rank
#7
Total births
2,672,746
Most popular decade
1950s (902,277 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-12 ranks)
Years in Top 100
145
First recorded year
1880

Gender usage

99.6% male 0.4% female

Stats by gender

Male

First year
1880
First year births
2,632
First year rank
#7
Peak year
1956
Peak year births
32,748
Peak rank
#12
Most recent year
2024
Recent year births
7,223
Recent rank
#32

Female

First year
1880
First year births
10
First year rank
#547
Peak year
1985
Peak year births
227
Peak rank
#755
Most recent year
2023
Recent year births
12
Recent rank
#8,472

Births over time

Number of babies given this name each year.

Rank over time

Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).

Related links