Yosef Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Yosef originates from Hebrew, meaning 'He will add' or 'God will increase.' It has evolved through various languages, including Greek and Latin, reflecting its deep biblical roots. The name is associated with traits of wisdom and leadership, with significant biblical relevance through the story of Joseph. It has remained popular across cultures and time.
The name Yosef is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Yosef has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Yosef' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3415th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1675th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1100th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 835th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 669th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Yosef' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Yosef"
Pronunciation
/joʊˈsɛf/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Yosef is derived from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef), which means 'He will add' or 'God will increase.' It is rooted in the biblical story of Joseph, the son of Jacob.
Meaning
He will add, God will increase
Language Evolution
Hebrew: יוֹסֵף (Yosef), Greek: Ἰωσήφ (Iōsēph), Latin: Iosephus, English: Joseph
Biblical Background
Yosef is a significant figure in the Bible, known for his colorful coat and rise to power in Egypt.
Historical Usage
The name has been widely used in Jewish communities since ancient times and gained popularity in Christian contexts due to its biblical significance.
Variants & Derivatives
Joseph, Joe, Josie, Jose
Modern Popularity & Image
Yosef is viewed positively, often associated with wisdom, resilience, and leadership, largely due to its biblical connections.
Famous People
Yosef Ben-Porath, Israeli mathematician, Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, prominent rabbi, Yosef Karsh, renowned photographer
Explore More Yosef Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Yosef"
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 "Yosef"
"Yosef" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3415th of 7552 | 107 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1675th of 10718 | 450 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1100th of 16616 | 1,400 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 835th of 24088 | 3,540 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 669th of 23106 | 4,695 |
Regional Popularity of "Yosef" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
39.67% 964th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
19.52% 680th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
51.02% 1880th/3685 |
10.01% 448th/4475 |
52.45% 2724th/5194 |
26.37% 1666th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
38.52% 1765th/4582 |
5.40% 279th/5164 |
21.26% 1555th/7313 |
18.06% 1348th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
33.76% 1345th/3984 |
4.44% 199th/4487 |
19.47% 1328th/6822 |
20.52% 1288th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Yosef" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Yosef"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Yosef" 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.