"God will add, He shall increase"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Yosef
Pronunciation: [ y-OHS-uhf ]
Does Yosef flow with your last name?
The ancient Hebrew original behind Joseph
Jewish
Israeli
Arabic
Ethiopian
Traditional
Spiritual
Classic
Strong
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"may He add (another son)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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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.
Historical Record
Yosef first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 10,192 babies have been named Yosef in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Yosef is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #612 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#612
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Yosef
Y
Yosef Mizrachi
Religious
1975
Israeli-American Orthodox rabbi and popular lecturer known for his outreach work
Y
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
Y
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
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Compare Yosef with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, spiritual style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, traditional style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Yosef
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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.
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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