Joseph is a common male name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef[1] (יוֹסֵף‎).

"Joseph" is used,[2] along with "Josef", mostly in English, French, and partially German languages.

In the first century CE, Joseph was the second most popular male name for Israeli Jews.

The Bible offers two explanations for the origins of the name Yosef: first, it is compared to the word asaf from the root /'sp/, 'taken away': "And she conceived, and bore a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach"; Yosef is then identified with the similar root /ysp/, meaning 'add': "And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

[8] The name can also consist of the Hebrew yadah meaning "praise", "fame" and the word asaf.