Joseph
Joseph is a Christian boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “He will add”.
| Meaning | He will add |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Written as | יוֹסֵף |
| Pronunciation | JOH-sef |
| Tradition | Christian, Jewish, Muslim |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Joseph
Joseph comes from the Hebrew Yosef, from a verb meaning 'to add', understood as 'God will add (another son)'. Genesis tells the story of Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, sold into Egypt by his brothers before rising to power there. In the New Testament Joseph is the husband of Mary, honoured as Saint Joseph. Its popularity in Catholic Europe made it one of the most widely spread names in the world, in forms from Giuseppe to José.
Is Joseph a Christian name?
Joseph is a major biblical name in both Judaism and Christianity, and the same figure appears in the Qur'an as the prophet Yusuf, whose story fills a whole chapter (Surah Yusuf).
How popular is Joseph?
A timeless name that remains common across Europe, the Americas and beyond.
Gifts with the name Joseph
- Joseph name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Joseph baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Joseph
Names similar to Joseph
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Joseph mean?
Joseph means 'He will add'. It is of Hebrew origin.
Is Joseph a Christian name?
Joseph is a major biblical name in both Judaism and Christianity, and the same figure appears in the Qur'an as the prophet Yusuf, whose story fills a whole chapter (Surah Yusuf).
How do you pronounce Joseph?
Joseph is pronounced JOH-sef.
Is Joseph a boy or girl name?
Joseph is usually a boy name.