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Name at a glance

Joseph

Joseph is a Hebrew name often explained as may he add or God will add.

Ranked #29 in US baby names in 2025, peaked at #5 in 1912, declining over the past 5 years.

Joseph is carried by important biblical figures, including Joseph son of Jacob and Joseph the earthly guardian of Jesus.

Browse names
OriginHebrew
GenderBoy
FeelFaithful
PronunciationJOH-zef

Is Joseph biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Joseph names two major biblical figures, Joseph son of Jacob in Genesis and Joseph the husband of Mary in Matthew and Luke.

Is Joseph a Christian name?

Yes

Christian tradition Foundational, across traditions

Joseph is established across Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions through Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church, and centuries of Christian naming.

Plain answer

Joseph is a major biblical name carried by the Genesis patriarch and Mary's husband, and it is deeply established across Christian traditions through Saint Joseph and long church use.

Confidence High Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Joseph

Joseph comes from Hebrew and is often connected with the idea that God will add, increase, or give another. The name's meaning fits naturally with the Genesis birth story and with a wider sense of providence.

Sound

How to pronounce Joseph

Phonetic
JOH-zef
IPA
/ˈdʒoʊzəf/

2 syllables · stress: JOH-zef · ends in a consonant

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Jose
  • Giuseppe
  • Josef
  • Yosef
  • Yusuf
  • Joseba
  • Iosif

Short forms and nicknames

  • Joe
  • Joey
  • Jos

Languages

Joseph in other languages

Hebrew
יוֹסֵףYosef
Greek
ἸωσήφIōsēph
Latin
Iosephus
Spanish
José
French
Joseph
German
Josef
Italian
Giuseppe
Russian
ИосифIosif
Polish
Józef
Arabic
يُوسُفYusuf

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Joseph has two especially strong biblical associations: Joseph son of Jacob in Genesis and Joseph, husband of Mary, in the New Testament. Together they give the name themes of suffering, provision, humility, and faithful responsibility.

Scripture

The biblical figure

In Genesis, Joseph is sold by his brothers, rises in Egypt, preserves many lives during famine, and forgives his family. In Matthew and Luke, Joseph protects Mary and Jesus with quiet obedience.

Bearers

Notable people named Joseph

  • biblical

    Joseph son of JacobPatriarch sold into Egypt, who rises to second in Pharaoh's court and saves his family from famine in Genesis

  • biblical

    Joseph of NazarethHusband of Mary and earthly guardian of Jesus in the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke

  • historical

    Joseph HaydnAustrian composer of the classical era, 1732 to 1809

  • historical

    Joseph PulitzerHungarian-American newspaper publisher and namesake of the Pulitzer Prizes, 1847 to 1911

  • historical

    Joseph ConradPolish-British novelist, author of Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim, 1857 to 1924

  • historical

    Joseph StalinGeneral Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1953, 1878 to 1953

  • modern

    Joseph Gordon-LevittAmerican actor known for 500 Days of Summer and Inception, born 1981

Saint

Saint Joseph

Traditions
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican
Patron of
the Universal Church, workers, fathers, carpenters, a happy death

Saint Joseph, foster father of Jesus and husband of Mary, is honored with two Catholic feasts, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph and Saint Joseph the Worker. Pius IX declared him patron of the Universal Church in 1870.

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Joseph has been a major Jewish and Christian name for centuries. In English-speaking countries it has remained a steady classic, helped by friendly short forms like Joe and Joey.

Recent US use

Joseph in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#29
Peak rank
#5 in 1912
Recent trend
declining over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Pairings

Names paired with Joseph

  • Marywife

    Joseph of Nazareth is the legal husband of Mary and earthly guardian of Jesus in the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke.

  • Jacobfather

    Joseph is the eleventh son of Jacob and the firstborn of Rachel; the brothers' jealousy over Jacob's favor sets the Genesis story in motion.

For families

For families looking at Joseph

For a Christian family, Joseph feels warm, traditional, and deeply rooted. It carries both Old Testament resilience and New Testament humility.

Common questions

What does Joseph mean?

Joseph is usually explained as may he add or God will add.

Is Joseph a biblical name?

Yes. Joseph appears as a major figure in Genesis and as the husband of Mary in the New Testament.

Is Joseph a Christian name?

Yes. Joseph is one of the most established Christian boy names.

Sources

Sources for Joseph

  • A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, Brown, Driver, and BriggsSupports: Hebrew etymology; meaning 'may he add' or 'God will add'.
  • The Book of Genesis, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure; 'God meant it unto good' in Genesis 50:20.
  • The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Joseph; patron of the Universal Church; feast day (March 19).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

DanielBoth Hebrew Bible boys taken to foreign courts where their God-given wisdom and dream-interpretation save lives; Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon.DavidBoth come from Bethlehem households that Christian Scripture traces to Jesus' line; Joseph the husband of Mary stands in the Davidic genealogy (Matthew 1).MatthewMatthew's Gospel opens with the genealogy that runs through Joseph (Matthew 1:1-17); Joseph receives the angelic instruction in Matthew 1:18-25.