Boy · 9th of 24,088
Joseph
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
2,672,746
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1956
Peak Popularity Year
32,831
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Joseph 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' or 'God will increase'. It evolved through different languages and has been used historically due to its biblical relevance. The name is associated with traits of strength and reliability, with a significant presence in various cultures. Joseph also has notable biblical relevance, being a key figure in both the Old and New Testaments.
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 increase'.
Meaning
He will add, God will increase
Language Evolution
Yosef (Hebrew), Ioseph (Latin), Josephus (Latinized Greek), Joseph (Old French, Middle English)
Biblical Background
Joseph is a prominent biblical figure, known as the son of Jacob and Rachel in the Old Testament. He is also recognized as the earthly father of Jesus in the New Testament.
Historical Usage
The name Joseph gained popularity in the Christian world due to its biblical associations, particularly during the Middle Ages. It became common in various forms across Europe.
Variants & Derivatives
Joe, Joey, Jose, Giuseppe, José
Modern Popularity & Image
Joseph remains a widely used name today, often associated with strength, reliability, and a sense of tradition.
Famous People
Joseph Smith (founder of the Latter Day Saint movement), Joseph Stalin (Soviet leader), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (actor), Joseph Haydn (composer)
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 32,831 peak births in 1956
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7th of 7545 | 411,084 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 11th of 6773 | 349,316 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 11th of 7552 | 554,950 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10th of 10718 | 408,139 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10th of 16616 | 459,961 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 9th of 24088 | 304,379 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 21st of 23106 | 115,205 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 717th of 9107 | 1,823 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 760th of 9204 | 1,641 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1121st of 12526 | 1,600 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 900th of 19264 | 2,358 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1158th of 27321 | 2,275 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3995th of 35406 | 557 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9007th of 30306 | 139 |