Joseph (name)

Joseph

Joseph, son of Jacob
Pronunciation /ˈdʒoʊzəf/
Gender Male
Origin
Word/Name Hebrew
Other names
Related names Joe, Joey, Jofish, Josey, Jose

Joseph is a name originating from Hebrew, meaning 'God will increase' recorded in the Hebrew Bible, as יוֹסֵף, Standard Hebrew Yosef, Tiberian Hebrew and Aramaic Yôsēp̄. In Arabic, including in the Qur'an, the name is spelled يوسف or Yūsuf. The name can be translated from Hebrew יהוה להוסיף Yihoh Lhosif as signifying "YHWH will increase/add". This variant of the name is used mostly in English, French and German-speaking countries. Diminutives of Joseph include: Joe and Joey for males, and Jo for females. It is sometimes abbreviated as Jos. The name has enjoyed significant popularity in its many forms in numerous countries, and is especially common in contemporary Israel, as either "Yossi" or "Yosef".

In the Old Testament, Joseph is Jacob's eleventh son and Rachel's first. In the New Testament, Joseph is the husband of the virgin Mary. In the New Testament there is another Joseph as well, Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus who supplied the tomb in which Jesus was buried.

Contents

Common Nicknames

Variations

Variations for males include[1]:

Female forms

Main article: Josephine (name)

People known as Joseph

Royalty

Biblical figures

Other

See also

References

  1. ^ Behind the Name – the Etymology and History of First Names