Meaning
Joseph comes to English through Latin Ioseph and Greek Iōsēph from Hebrew Yosef, "he will add." It is the same name as Yousef, just routed through Rome instead of Baghdad.
Two famous Josephs
Christianity gave the name a second hero: Joseph of Nazareth, husband of Mary. His popularity as a saint in medieval Europe is a big reason Joseph and its forms became so common among Catholics. March 19, Saint Joseph's Day, is still celebrated as Father's Day in Italy, Spain and Portugal.
In the United States
Joseph has appeared in the U.S. top 100 boys' names every year since records began in 1880. Few names can claim that kind of staying power.
Nicknames
Joe, Joey, Jo, Jojo, and in French, Jojo or Jo. In the Caribbean, Joseph is one of the most frequent surnames, especially in Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Lucia.