Boy · 807th of 16,616
Joesph
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
15,649
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
320
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Joesph stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Joseph has Hebrew origins meaning 'He will add.' It evolved through various languages, including Greek and Latin, before reaching its modern form in English. Joseph is associated with strong biblical roots and is characterized by reliability and tradition. Its relevance in Christianity contributes to its enduring popularity.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒoʊsəf/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Joseph comes from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means 'He will add' or 'God will add.' This reflects the biblical narrative where Rachel, the wife of Jacob, named her son Joseph, expressing her hope for more children.
Meaning
He will add
Language Evolution
Yosef (Hebrew), Ioseph (Greek), Josephus (Latin), Joseph (English)
Biblical Background
Joseph is a significant biblical figure, known as one of the twelve sons of Jacob and Leah. He is famous for his coat of many colors and his story of being sold into slavery in Egypt.
Historical Usage
The name Joseph has been widely used since biblical times and gained popularity in the Christian community due to its association with Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. It has remained a classic name throughout history.
Variants & Derivatives
Jose, Joey, Josef, Giuseppe, Yusuf
Modern Popularity & Image
Joseph remains a popular name in many cultures, often perceived as strong and traditional. It carries a sense of reliability and respect.
Famous People
Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, Joseph Stalin, former leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, American actor and filmmaker
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 320 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 38 US states, with strongest presence in Louisiana
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 13 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 599th of 7545 | 1,759 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 592nd of 6773 | 1,834 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 487th of 7552 | 4,531 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 539th of 10718 | 3,564 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 807th of 16616 | 2,400 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1778th of 24088 | 1,168 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 4490th of 23106 | 268 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 15428th of 19264 | 12 |