First name Joseph - Meaning, Origin and Rating

Meaning

Joseph is a traditionally masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from a term meaning "God will add" or "God will increase." It holds an important place in biblical history, particularly in the Old Testament. The best-known biblical Joseph is the son of Jacob and Rachel, famous for his multicolored coat, his gift for interpreting dreams, and his subsequent rise to power in Egypt, where he helped save his family during a severe famine. Beyond this figure, the name is associated with numerous saints venerated in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity. Joseph has given rise to many forms and equivalents across cultures, such as Joe, Joey, Joss, Sepp in Bavaria, Yusuf in Arabic, and Yosef in Hebrew. Notable bearers of the name include Joseph R. Biden Jr., the 46th President of the United States, as well as public figures such as singer Joe Jonas, actors Joseph Cotten and Joseph Fiennes, and television personality and filmmaker Max Joseph.