Joseph
/ˈdʒoʊzəf/noun
A masculine given name of Hebrew origin, traditionally associated with biblical figures including Jacob’s son and Mary’s husband.
Did you know?The name comes from the Hebrew verb yāsap, “to add” or “increase,” making Joseph literally a name of addition and abundance rather than a magical incantation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew
Hebrew
יוֹסֵף (Yōsēph)
“He adds, or may he add”
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
יָסַף (yāsap)
“To add, increase, or do again; the verb underlying the name”
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Greek
Ἰωσήφ (Iōsḗph)
“Joseph; the Greek form used in the Septuagint”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Ioseph
“Joseph; the Latin biblical form”
Old French
Old French
Joseph
“Joseph; inherited through Christian biblical tradition”
Middle English
English
Joseph
“A personal name used in English religious and literary texts”
Modern English
English
Joseph
“A common masculine given name”