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 given statistics show the annual number of births with the name "Joseph" in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around the early 1900s, the number of babies named Joseph fluctuated between approximately 4,000 and 6,000 per year. The peak was reached in 1907 with 6,385 births. After that, there was a steady decline until the 1930s.
The trend continued to decrease during World War II (1941-1945), and it reached its lowest point in 1972 with only 350 births named Joseph.
After 1972, the number of babies named Joseph started to slowly increase again. It rose gradually until the late 1980s when it peaked once more at around 2,600 births per year between 1988 and 1991.
From the mid-1990s onwards, the popularity of the name Joseph began to decrease steadily. By 2010, it had fallen back down to below 3,000 births per year. This downward trend continued into the 2020s with the number of births named Joseph reaching its most recent low in 2022 with only 7,237 births.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there were 2,654,627 babies born in the United States who were named Joseph.