Joseph
Joseph is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
He will add or Jehovah shall add.
Origin and history
Joseph is a traditional biblical name derived from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning 'he will add'. While predominantly used for males, it has a long history of rare usage as a given name for females in the United States. It offers a classic, timeless feel even when chosen as a non-traditional feminine option.
Popularity in the United States
10,723 babies in the United States have been named Joseph since 1880. It ranks #1570 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2046.
States where it is most popular
- NY (21.9 %)
- PA (14.2 %)
- CA (11.5 %)
- IL (7 %)
- OH (5.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 112 |
| 1890-1900 | 187 |
| 1900-1910 | 173 |
| 1910-1920 | 627 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,378 |
| 1930-1940 | 886 |
| 1940-1950 | 668 |
| 1950-1960 | 753 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,223 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,511 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,994 |
| 1990-2000 | 637 |
| 2000-2010 | 363 |
| 2010-2019 | 156 |
| 2020-2029 | 55 |
Nicknames
Jo, Joey, Jojo
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Hebrew verb 'yasaf', which means 'to add' or 'to increase'.
- Over 10,000 females in the U.S. have been officially named Joseph since 1880.