Joe Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Joe is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'he will add' or 'God will increase.' The name has evolved through various languages, including Greek and Latin, before becoming popular in modern English. It conveys traits of friendliness and approachability, with biblical relevance tied to the figure of Joseph.
The name Joe is most popular in New Mexico, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Joe has been falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Joe' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 34th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 29th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 54th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 107th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 203rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 363rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 706th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 613th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 461st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 751st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1752nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5179th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24522nd out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Joe' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Joe"
Pronunciation
/dʒoʊ/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Joe is a short form of the name Joseph, which derives from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning 'he will add' or 'God will increase.'
Meaning
he will add, God will increase
Language Evolution
Yosef (Hebrew), Ioseph (Greek), Iosephus (Latin), Joseph (Old French), Joe (Modern English)
Biblical Background
Joe is often associated with the biblical figure Joseph, who is a prominent character in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Historical Usage
The name Joe gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century as a diminutive of Joseph and has remained common since.
Variants & Derivatives
Joseph, Joey, Josie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Joe is perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with down-to-earth characteristics.
Famous People
Joe Biden, Joe Cocker, Joe Montana, Joe Namath
Explore More Joe Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Joe"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Joe"
"Joe" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 34th of 7545 | 96,935 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 29th of 6773 | 127,498 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 54th of 7552 | 125,242 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 107th of 10718 | 46,961 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 203rd of 16616 | 23,429 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 363rd of 24088 | 12,825 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 706th of 23106 | 4,359 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 613th of 9107 | 2,422 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 461st of 9204 | 4,151 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 751st of 12526 | 3,235 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1752nd of 19264 | 854 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5179th of 27321 | 264 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 24522nd of 35406 | 22 |
Regional Popularity of "Joe" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
3.95% 56th/1416 |
7.25% 100th/1379 |
0.59% 14th/2366 |
1.58% 18th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
3.56% 55th/1546 |
7.58% 118th/1556 |
0.68% 16th/2353 |
1.36% 21st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
3.91% 87th/2227 |
5.56% 135th/2430 |
1.26% 36th/2853 |
1.66% 46th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
4.43% 130th/2937 |
6.98% 243rd/3483 |
2.10% 74th/3518 |
2.13% 86th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
7.95% 293rd/3685 |
9.79% 438th/4475 |
2.43% 126th/5194 |
3.12% 197th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
12.94% 593rd/4582 |
13.56% 700th/5164 |
3.62% 265th/7313 |
4.85% 362nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
26.78% 1067th/3984 |
23.31% 1046th/4487 |
8.31% 567th/6822 |
11.11% 697th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Joe" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
62.15% 880th/1416 |
- |
17.58% 416th/2366 |
85.11% 972nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
45.86% 709th/1546 |
100.00% 1556th/1556 |
13.34% 314th/2353 |
43.76% 677th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
50.88% 1133rd/2227 |
87.41% 2124th/2430 |
16.68% 476th/2853 |
45.12% 1252nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
86.82% 2550th/2937 |
- |
33.09% 1164th/3518 |
50.59% 2046th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
49.56% 2574th/5194 |
75.86% 4792nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Joe"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Joe" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.