The name Joseph is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means "he will add" or "he will increase." It is a biblical name that has been in use for thousands of years, with its earliest recorded use in the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible.

The name Joseph is one of the most significant names in the Bible, belonging to the son of Jacob and Rachel. Joseph's life story is detailed in Genesis, where he is sold into slavery by his brothers, rises to become a powerful official in Egypt, and is eventually reunited with his family. His name is also mentioned in the New Testament, as Joseph is the name of the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

One of the earliest recorded historical figures with the name Joseph was Joseph ben Mattathias, a Jewish priest and military leader who led the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. Another notable Joseph was Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived in the 1st century CE and wrote extensively about the Jewish-Roman wars and the history of the Jewish people.

During the Middle Ages, the name Joseph gained widespread popularity across Europe, with various spelling variations emerging, such as Josef, José, and Giuseppe. One of the most famous bearers of the name from this period was Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man who, according to the Gospels, provided his own tomb for the burial of Jesus.

In more recent history, several notable figures have borne the name Joseph. Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) was a Soviet revolutionary and politician who became the leader of the Soviet Union. Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period, known for his contributions to the development of the string quartet and symphony. Joseph Lister (1827-1912) was a British surgeon who pioneered antiseptic surgery and made significant contributions to the field of medicine.

Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) was a Hungarian-American publisher and journalist, best known for establishing the Pulitzer Prizes, which are awarded annually for achievements in journalism, literature, and music. Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was a Polish-British novelist who wrote some of the most significant works in English literature, including Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim.