The story behind Joseph
From Middle English Ioseph, ultimately from Biblical Hebrew יוֹסֵף (Yoséf, literally “(God) shall add”); a son of Jacob. Doublet of Yusuf. Noun sense 1 (“one whose chastity is above temptation”) is a reference to the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
French entry
a male given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Joseph
Pronunciation
US: /ˈd͡ʒoʊsəf/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒəʊzɪf/
- US: /ˈd͡ʒoʊzəf/
- Northeastern, US: /ˈd͡ʒoʊsɪf/
- Northeastern, US: /ˈd͡ʒoʊzɪf/
- French: /ʒo.zɛf/
Popularity
Joseph ranked #8591 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Joseph
Japheth
From Middle English Jafeth (as attested in Wycliffe's Bible), from Old English Iafeth (see e.g. Aelfric of Eynsham) and Middle French Japhet, both from Late Latin Iaphet,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Jonah
From the Hebrew יוֹנָה (yônâh, “dove”). Doublet of Jonas.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Josiah
From Biblical Hebrew יֹאשִׁיָּה (yōšiyyā), יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ (yōšiyyā́hū).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Judah
Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew יְהוּדָה (yehudá). Doublet of Judas and Yehuda.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Judith
Ultimately from Hebrew יְהוּדִית (Y'hudít, “woman from Judea, Jewess”). Doublet of Yehudit. From Hebrew יְהוּדִית (Y'hudít, “woman from Judea, Jewess”). From Latin Judith,…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Adah
From Hebrew עָדָה (adá, “Adah”, literally “ornament, dawn”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Joseph
Abdia
Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew עוֹבַדְיָה (ovadya).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abednego
From Hebrew עֲבֵד נְגוֹא, itself derived from a reconstructed Aramaic name meaning likely "servant of Nabu" or "servant of Nergal".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Joseph
Aarão
From Latin Aarōn, from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן ('aharón). Doublet of Faro.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length