Boy Name · Hebrew Origin
Yosef
Yosef is a boy's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is a boy's name of Hebrew origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Yosef — a boy name from the Hebrew tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. If Yousef is on your shortlist, Yosef belongs in the same conversation.
Yosef meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Yosef has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Hebrew naming roots help connect Yosef to related Hebrew baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Yosef as Y·O·S·E·F, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Yosef is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Yosef variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Yosefa, Yosefe, Yosefy, Yose.
- Nicknames: Yos and Y.
- Middle names: Pair Yosef with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Yosef middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Yousef, Yusef, Yusuf, Yakov, Yaakov — full picks on the sibling names for Yosef guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Yosef? Browse our names like Yosef guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Yosef
What does the name Yosef mean?
Yosef has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Yosef?
Yosef originates in Hebrew naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Yosef?
Yosef has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Yosef a boy's or girl's name?
Yosef is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Yosef in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Yosef sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Yosef?
Names that share Yosef's sound and style include Yousef, Yusef, Yusuf, Yakov, Yaakov.
What middle names pair well with Yosef?
Good middle-name fits for Yosef pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Yosef is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Yosef is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Yosef?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Yosef share its rhythm without rhyming — Yousef, Yusef, Yusuf all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.