Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God will increase." It comes from the Hebrew name Yosef, which was borne by several characters in the Bible, including Jacob's son who had the coat of many colors and the husband of Mary, Jesus' mother.
The name Joseph has been popular throughout history. In the Middle Ages, it was a common name among European royalty. Many kings and nobles were named Joseph or a variant form such as Josse or Josselin.
In literature, the name Joseph has appeared in works by authors like Charles Dickens ("Joseph" is one of the main characters in his novel "Bleak House") and Herman Melville ("Bartleby the Scrivener" features a character named Turkey, whose real name is Joseph).
Today, Joseph remains a popular name worldwide. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, it has consistently ranked among the top 50 most popular boys' names since record-keeping began in 1900.
Overall, the name Joseph has stood the test of time, with its biblical roots and enduring appeal making it a classic choice for parents seeking a timeless name for their son.
Statistics on the name Joseph show that it has been consistently popular over time in the United States. In 1966, there were 5 births with the name Joseph, and this number increased to 7 births in 1968. This indicates a growing trend of parents choosing this name for their newborn sons during this period. Over these two years combined, a total of 12 babies were named Joseph in the United States, demonstrating that it was a popular choice among parents at that time. It's important to note that these statistics are not current and may have changed over time as naming trends can vary significantly from year to year. However, they do provide insight into the popularity of the name Joseph during the late 1960s in the United States.