Joseph is a classic and timeless male given name of Hebrew origin. Its meaning is derived from the Hebrew word "Yosef," which translates to "he will add" or "he shall increase." This name has been popular throughout history, appearing in numerous biblical stories.
In the Old Testament, Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, who was favored by his father and received a coat of many colors as a gift. His brothers grew jealous of him and sold him into slavery in Egypt. However, Joseph rose to prominence there, eventually becoming the second-in-command to Pharaoh after interpreting his dreams accurately.
In the New Testament, Saint Joseph is revered as the foster father of Jesus Christ. He was a carpenter by trade and married Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a betrothal. According to Christian tradition, he played a crucial role in protecting and supporting Mary and her child during their early life.
The name Joseph has been widely used throughout history, appearing in various cultures and languages around the world. It was particularly popular among royalty, with many kings, princes, and nobles named Joseph throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. Today, it remains a beloved choice for parents seeking a classic and meaningful name for their sons.
In summary, Joseph is an enduring male given name of Hebrew origin that translates to "he will add" or "he shall increase." It has been associated with notable figures in both biblical and historical contexts, contributing to its lasting popularity.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Joseph in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to 1910, the number of babies named Joseph fluctuated between approximately 2,500 and 5,000 births per year. The peak during this period occurred in 1910 with 5,228 births.
There was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Joseph starting from 1912, reaching 12,062 births that year. This trend continued through World War I and peaked at 26,261 births in 1918.
The highest point in the history of Joseph's popularity as a baby name was reached during the post-World War II baby boom era from 1945 to 1960. During this period, over 30,000 babies were named Joseph annually, with a peak of 32,750 births in 1956.
After the late 1960s, the popularity of the name Joseph began to decline steadily. By the early 2000s, fewer than 25,000 babies were named Joseph annually. This downward trend continued into the 2010s and 2020s, with fewer than 10,000 babies named Joseph each year since 2016.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there have been approximately 2,654,627 births of boys named Joseph in the United States.