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NamyLab

Josef

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"God Will Add"

A European form of Joseph, from Hebrew roots meaning God will add, widespread in Germanic and Slavic naming traditions.

Themes:hebrewbiblicaleuropean

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection CuratorCreative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Josef

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2286Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#2286

Josef was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+14

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Josef mean?
Josef means "God Will Add". A European form of Joseph, from Hebrew roots meaning God will add, widespread in Germanic and Slavic naming traditions.
What is the origin of Josef?
Josef is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Josef?
According to the latest SSA data, Josef is currently ranked #2286 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Josef a boy name?
Josef is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Josef?
Common nicknames can be formed by shortening or modifying the name. Check the Nicknames section above for specific suggestions.
What names are similar to Josef?
There are many names similar to Josef in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew, German
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#2286
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withJ

Explore More Boy Names Like Josef

Josef has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Josef appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Hebrew Baby Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Josef pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Josef beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.