Joseph

Boys

Best rank #19 (2008) · ranked in 18 years

First charting in 2008, Joseph peaked at #19 in 2008.

It eased from #19 in 2008 to #42 in 2025.

In the most recent data (2025) it ranks #42.

At its peak year of 2008, Joseph was given to 16,629 newborns.

Joseph was most popular around 2008, making it characteristic of the 2000s generation.

Rank by year

11020200820172025
  1. 2025427,315
  2. 2024447,266
  3. 2023467,291
  4. 2022447,848
  5. 2021408,174
  6. 2020378,495
  7. 2019379,195
  8. 2018369,697
  9. 20172910,507
  10. 20163010,982
  11. 20153011,543
  12. 20142712,161
  13. 20132812,298
  14. 20122712,610
  15. 20112913,018
  16. 20102713,867
  17. 20092314,972
  18. 20081916,629

Similar names

Names similar to Joseph include Jacob, Joshua, Jayden, which share a starting letter or overlapping popularity. Compare their rank trajectories below.

Where Joseph is most popular

In 2025, Joseph was recorded in 51 of the 51 US jurisdictions the SSA reports on, with 7,303 births nationwide.

The largest share came from California at 721 births, 9.9% of the national total, where it ranked #73 that year.

By census region the name skews South, which accounts for 37.8% of Joseph births, against 24.7% Northeast, 19.0% Midwest, 18.5% West.

State rankings spread more than the national figure suggests: Joseph placed as high as #9 in New Jersey and as low as #233 in Oregon.

Top states, 2025

  1. 1California721 · #73 there
  2. 2Texas669 · #69 there
  3. 3New York667 · #11 there
  4. 4Florida462 · #47 there
  5. 5Pennsylvania381 · #17 there

Share by census region

  • Northeast24.7%
  • Midwest19.0%
  • South37.8%
  • West18.5%

Shares are of this name's national total, not of each state's births. SSA withholds any name under 5 occurrences per state and year. Browse all states

Frequently asked questions

Is Joseph a popular name?
Joseph reached a best rank of #19 in 2008 and has charted in 18 years.
Where does Joseph rank now?
In the most recent data (2025), Joseph ranks #42.
Is Joseph a boy or girl name?
It is recorded primarily as a boys' name.
When was Joseph most popular?
Joseph peaked around 2008.

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Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) - Popular Baby Names (national)