Joseph is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "he will add" or "God will increase." It is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which was borne by several characters in the Bible, most notably Jacob's eleventh son and eventual ruler of Egypt.
The name Joseph has been popular throughout history and across different cultures. In ancient times, it was common among Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Throughout the Middle Ages, it remained a prevalent name in Europe, particularly in France and England.
In modern times, Joseph continues to be a popular choice for boys' names around the world. According to the Social Security Administration, it has consistently ranked among the top 500 most popular baby boy names in the United States since the 1960s.
Some notable figures who have borne the name Joseph include Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus; Joseph Stalin, Soviet leader from 1922 until his death in 1953; and Joe DiMaggio, American baseball player widely considered one of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history.
The name Joeseph experienced a significant increase in popularity during the late 19th century, with the first notable spike occurring between 1880 and 1884, where there were consistently around 6 births each year. This trend continued into the early 20th century, reaching its peak in 1920 with 31 births.
However, from the mid-20th century onwards, the popularity of the name Joeseph began to decline sharply. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the number of annual births named Joeseph reached its lowest point since the 1800s, with fewer than 10 births each year from 2015 onwards.
In total, over a span of approximately 140 years (1880 to 2021), there were 2850 births registered with the name Joeseph.