Yosef

Pronunciation: [ y-OHS-uhf ]

Boy Name #612 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

The ancient Hebrew original behind Joseph

Jewish Israeli Arabic Ethiopian

Traditional Spiritual Classic Strong

Meaning & Origin

"God will add, He shall increase"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"may He add (another son)"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

The Story of Yosef

Yosef is the original Hebrew form of Joseph, one of the most enduring names in world history. It derives from the root yasaf, meaning 'to add' or 'to increase,' reflecting the Biblical story of Rachel's prayer that God would give her another son after Joseph's birth. The name spread across the ancient world through the Hebrew Bible and became Joseph in Greek and Latin, Yusuf in Arabic, and Josef across Germanic languages — but Yosef preserves the oldest form.

Yosef has remained steadily popular in Jewish and Israeli communities for millennia due to the beloved biblical patriarch Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become Viceroy of Egypt. In the Ashkenazi Jewish world, it is one of the most common names given in honor of deceased ancestors.

In Jewish tradition, Yosef is one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and a symbol of resilience and divine providence. In Islam, Yusuf (the Arabic form) is the subject of an entire Quranic chapter (Surah Yusuf), considered the most beautiful story in the Quran.

Fun Facts

Joseph/Yosef appears in the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Quran — one of the rare names sacred to all three Abrahamic religions
The name has been in the top 10 in Israel for decades

Yosef in Other Languages

Arabic يوسف (Yusuf)

French Joseph

German Josef

Amharic ዮሴፍ (Yosef)

Spanish José

Famous People Named Yosef

Yosef Mizrachi

Religious

1975

Israeli-American Orthodox rabbi and popular lecturer known for his outreach work

Yosef Trumpeldor

Military

1880

Zionist pioneer and soldier, one of the first Jewish officers in the Russian Imperial Army, killed defending Tel Hai in ...

Zionist pioneer and soldier, one of the first Jewish officers in the Russian Imperial Army, killed defending Tel Hai in 1920

Yosef (Biblical patriarch)

Other

Son of Jacob and Rachel in the Hebrew Bible, who was sold into slavery and became Viceroy of Egypt; his story spans Gene...

Son of Jacob and Rachel in the Hebrew Bible, who was sold into slavery and became Viceroy of Egypt; his story spans Genesis 37–50

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #612
Total SSA Count: 466
Cultural Origins: Jewish Israeli Arabic Ethiopian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Yossi Yosi Sefi

Pairs Well With

Yosef Aaron Yosef David Yosef Eliyahu Yosef Chaim Yosef Moshe Yosef Tzvi Yosef Binyamin

Sibling Names

Rivka Sarah Miriam Menachem Ari Leah Shmuel

Similar Names

Jose Joshua Josef Giuseppe Joey Yusuf Yehuda Yusef

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yosef

What does the name Yosef mean?

"God will add, He shall increase" (from Hebrew). "may He add (another son)" (from Hebrew). Yosef is the original Hebrew form of Joseph, one of the most enduring names in world history. It derives from the root yasaf, meaning 'to add' or 'to increase,' reflecting the Biblical story of Rachel's prayer that God would give her another son after Joseph's birth. The name spread across the ancient world through the Hebrew Bible and became Joseph in Greek and Latin, Yusuf in Arabic, and Josef across Germanic languages — but Yosef preserves the oldest form.

What is the origin of the name Yosef?

Yosef has Hebrew, Jewish, Israeli, Arabic, and Ethiopian origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will add, He shall increase". In Hebrew, it means "may He add (another son)".

Is Yosef a boy or girl name?

Yosef is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Yosef?

Yosef is pronounced y-OHS-uhf.

How popular is the name Yosef?

Yosef is currently ranked #612 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Yosef?

Common nicknames for Yosef include Yossi, Yosi, and Sefi.

What are good middle names for Yosef?

Popular middle name pairings include Yosef Aaron, Yosef David, Yosef Eliyahu, Yosef Chaim, Yosef Moshe, Yosef Tzvi, and Yosef Binyamin.

What are good sibling names for Yosef?

Names that pair well with Yosef as siblings include Rivka, Sarah, Miriam, Menachem, Ari, Leah, and Shmuel.

How many syllables does Yosef have?

Yosef has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Yosef a common or rare name?

Yosef is moderately common, ranked #612 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Yosef

Yosef is a boy name with Jewish, Israeli, Arabic, and Ethiopian origins . The name means "God will add, He shall increase" in Hebrew .

Yosef is currently ranked #612 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Yosef has 2 syllables and is pronounced y-OHS-uhf, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Yosef include Yossi, Yosi, and Sefi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.