Joseph (name) facts for kids

The name Joseph comes from the ancient Hebrew language. It is written as יוֹסֵף and pronounced "Yosef" in Hebrew. In Arabic, the name is spelled يوسف or Yusuf. The name can be translated from Hebrew as "the Lord will increase."

Joseph is a very popular name, especially in countries where English and French are spoken. Some shorter versions and nicknames for Joseph include Joe, Joey, and Jo. For many years, from 1925 to 1972, Joseph was one of the top ten most popular names for boys in the United States.

Famous People Named Joseph

Many important and well-known people throughout history have been named Joseph. Here are a few examples:

Leaders and Rulers

• Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor: He was a powerful ruler in Europe in the early 1700s.
• Joseph II of Austria: Another important emperor who ruled Austria in the late 1700s.
• Franz Joseph I of Austria: He was the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary for a very long time, from 1848 to 1916.
• Joseph I of Portugal: He was the King of Portugal in the mid-1700s.
• Joseph Bonaparte: He was the older brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. Joseph became the King of Naples and later the King of Spain in the early 1800s.
• Joe Biden: He served as the Vice President of the United States of America from 2009 to 2017.

Biblical Figures

The name Joseph appears many times in important religious texts.

• Saint Joseph: In Christian beliefs, he is known as the husband of Mary, who was the mother of Jesus.
• Joseph: This Joseph is a famous figure from the Old Testament in the Bible. His story is told in the Book of Genesis.
• Joseph of Arimathea: He was a secret follower of Jesus, mentioned in the New Testament.

Other Notable People

• Chief Joseph: He was a respected leader of the Nez Perce Native American tribe in the late 1800s. He is famous for trying to lead his people to freedom.
• Joseph Cook: He served as the Prime Minister of Australia for a short time in 1913 and 1914.