Josef
/ˈjoʊ.zɛf/noun
A masculine given name, a Germanic, Czech, Slovak, Scandinavian, and other European form of Joseph.
Did you know?The name’s earliest biblical bearer, Joseph, was associated with dreams, prophetic interpretation, and dramatic reversals of fortune—helping give the name an enduring aura of destiny.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
יוֹסֵף (Yōsēf)
“He will add; traditionally connected with the Hebrew verb yāsaph, “to add” or “to increase””
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Greek
Ἰωσήφ (Iōsēph)
“Joseph, the Greek form used in the Septuagint”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Ioseph / Josephus
“Joseph; Latin forms used in biblical and Christian texts”
Medieval Period
Old French
Joseph
“The inherited Christian personal name”
Medieval Period
German
Josef
“German form of Joseph”
Modern English
English
Josef
“A recognized European variant of the masculine given name Joseph”