What Does the Name Joseph Mean?
Joseph is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “he will add.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Joseph |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | he will add |
| Variants | Joe, Joey, José, Giuseppe, Yosef |
| Popularity | A US top 10 boys' name for much of the 20th century, remaining in the top 25 today. |
The meaning and origin of Joseph
The name Joseph means “he will add” and has Hebrew origins. From the Hebrew Yosef (may God add), borne by the favored son of Jacob in Genesis and by the husband of Mary in the New Testament. One of the most enduring names in the Western world.
Variants and related names
Joseph is related to several other names you may recognize: Joe, Joey, José, Giuseppe, Yosef. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Joseph?
A US top 10 boys' name for much of the 20th century, remaining in the top 25 today.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joseph mean?+
The name Joseph means “he will add” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Joseph?+
Joseph originates from Hebrew.
Is Joseph a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Joseph has trended in the US over time.
Joseph by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press