Joseph
Peaked at #5 nationally in 1912, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Joseph has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Joseph derives from the Hebrew "Yosef," meaning "he will add" or "may God add (another son)." The name draws on two biblical figures — Joseph, son of Jacob, sold into slavery in Egypt, and Joseph, the husband of Mary — which secured its place as a staple across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim naming traditions.
Notable people & culture
Saint Joseph is venerated as the patron saint of workers, while historical bearers range from Joseph Stalin to religious founder Joseph Smith. President Joe Biden's full given name is Joseph, and the name is shared by actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Joe and Joey are its most common nicknames.
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Joseph — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#471
in 1883
Last ranked
#8691
in 2023
Years tracked
144
1880–2023
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Joseph reached its peak popularity for girls in 1883, ranking #471 nationally with 17 babies given the name that year.
Joseph hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2023, when it stood at #8691.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #8,691 | 12 |
| 2022 | #10,756 | 9 |
| 2021 | #11,587 | 8 |
| 2020 | #10,653 | 9 |
| 2019 | #7,168 | 16 |
| 2018 | #7,552 | 15 |
| 2017 | #6,395 | 19 |
| 2016 | #8,608 | 13 |
Joseph — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#5
in 1912
Current rank
#32
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Joseph reached its peak popularity for boys in 1912, ranking #5 nationally with 12,062 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #20 (2014) to #32 (2024) — a 37% drop.
As of 2024, Joseph ranks #32 nationally for boys, with 7,223 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #32 | 7,223 |
| 2023 | #29 | 7,268 |
| 2022 | #30 | 7,828 |
| 2021 | #28 | 8,155 |
| 2020 | #26 | 8,479 |
| 2019 | #24 | 9,174 |
| 2018 | #23 | 9,677 |
| 2017 | #18 | 10,485 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Joseph most popular?
Joseph was most popular in 1912, when it ranked #5 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Joseph becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Joseph?
At least 2,672,746 babies have been recorded with the name Joseph in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Joseph? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.