"God will add, God increases"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Polish
Jozef
Pronunciation: [ j-OHZ-uhf ]
Does Jozef flow with your last name?
God's promise of abundance, carved in Slavic stone
Polish
Czech
Slovak
Hungarian
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"may He add (a son)"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"He will multiply"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Czech
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Things to Know About This Name
- Josef Stalin (born Ioseb Jughashvili) bears a similar name; the phonetic similarity is generally not considered a concern for the Polish Jozef spelling
The Story of Jozef
Jozef is the Central/Eastern European spelling of Joseph, from the Hebrew 'Yosef' (יוֹסֵף), meaning 'God will add' or 'may God increase' — a prayer of abundance and blessing. The name appears in Genesis as the son of Jacob and Rachel who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, rose to become Viceroy of Egypt, and ultimately saved his family during famine. This rags-to-riches-to-forgiveness narrative has made Joseph one of the most beloved biblical stories across cultures.
Jozef has been one of the most enduring names in Central Europe for centuries, carried by the patron saint of workers (Saint Joseph), powerful rulers (Emperor Joseph II of Austria), and national heroes (Józef Piłsudski). In Polish Catholic tradition, the feast of Saint Joseph (March 19) is one of the most celebrated name days.
In Poland, Józef (Jozef) carries the weight of national identity through Józef Piłsudski — the military commander and statesman who restored Polish independence in 1918 after 123 years of partition. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of Poland's capital Warsaw, and 'Imieniny Józefa' (Joseph's Name Day, March 19) is one of Poland's most widely celebrated name days.
Historical Record
Jozef first appeared in US Social Security records in 1967.
Over 1,101 babies have been named Jozef in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Jozef is past its peak , currently ranked #5,314 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Joseph/Jozef is one of the most common names in the world, appearing in Hebrew, Christian, and Islamic scripture as a figure of resilience and divine favor
- Józef Piłsudski (1867-1935) is considered the founding father of modern Poland — his name became synonymous with national rebirth
- Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Nabucco' (1842) features Joseph's story and its Hebrew Chorus 'Va, pensiero' became an unofficial anthem of Italian unification — one name inspiring two nations' independence movements
Jozef in Other Languages
Arabic
يوسف (Yusuf)
French
Joseph
German
Josef
Hebrew
יוֹסֵף (Yosef)
Polish
Józef
Italian
Giuseppe
Russian
Иосиф (Iosif)
Spanish
José
Popularity Over Time
#5,314
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2005
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Jozef
J
Josef Albers
Artist
1888
German-American artist and educator who pioneered color theory; his 'Homage to the Square' series is among the most infl...
German-American artist and educator who pioneered color theory; his 'Homage to the Square' series is among the most influential works in 20th-century abstraction
J
Józef Piłsudski
Military
1867
Polish military commander and statesman who led Poland to independence in 1918 after 123 years of partition; served as C...
Polish military commander and statesman who led Poland to independence in 1918 after 123 years of partition; served as Chief of State and later First Marshal of Poland
J
Joseph (Genesis)
Religious
Biblical patriarch in Genesis; son of Jacob and Rachel who was sold into slavery, became Viceroy of Egypt, and saved his...
Biblical patriarch in Genesis; son of Jacob and Rachel who was sold into slavery, became Viceroy of Egypt, and saved his family during famine — one of scripture's greatest stories of resilience
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,314
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- Polish Czech Slovak Hungarian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Jozek
Jo
Jozo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Polish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Polish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Polish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Jozef
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Jozef
What does the name Jozef mean?
"God will add, God increases" (from Hebrew). "may He add (a son)" (from Biblical Hebrew). "He will multiply" (from Hebrew). Jozef is the Central/Eastern European spelling of Joseph, from the Hebrew 'Yosef' (יוֹסֵף), meaning 'God will add' or 'may God increase' — a prayer of abundance and blessing. The name appears in Genesis as the son of Jacob and Rachel who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, rose to become Viceroy of Egypt, and ultimately saved his family during famine. This rags-to-riches-to-forgiveness narrative has made Joseph one of the most beloved biblical stories across cultures.
What is the origin of the name Jozef?
Jozef has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Polish, Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will add, God increases". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "may He add (a son)". In Hebrew, it means "He will multiply".
Is Jozef a boy or girl name?
Jozef is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Jozef?
Jozef is pronounced j-OHZ-uhf.
How popular is the name Jozef?
Jozef is currently ranked #5314 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Jozef?
Common nicknames for Jozef include Jozek and Jozo.
What are good middle names for Jozef?
Popular middle name pairings include Jozef Jan, Jozef Marek, Jozef Piotr, Jozef Adam, Jozef Tomasz, Jozef Andrzej, and Jozef Stanislaw.
What are good sibling names for Jozef?
Names that pair well with Jozef as siblings include Marta, Zofia, Katarzyna, Jan, Piotr, Maria, and Anna.
How many syllables does Jozef have?
Jozef has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Jozef a common or rare name?
Jozef is an uncommon name, ranked #5314 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Jozef
Jozef is a boy name with Polish, Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian origins . The name means "God will add, God increases" in Hebrew .
Jozef is currently ranked #5,314 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Jozef has 2 syllables and is pronounced j-OHZ-uhf, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Jozef include Jozek, Jo, and Jozo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis