Meaning & Origin
A diminutive of the male given names Joseph, Josiah, Joel, or Josias.
Joe is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a short form of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning "God will add" or "God increases." While long used as an informal nickname, Joe has been given as a formal first name throughout the 20th century.
Joe carries an unshakeable everyman quality — friendly, direct, and unpretentious. "Joe" is practically synonymous with the average American in idiom ("Joe Six-Pack," "Joe Blow"), yet the name has been borne by extraordinary people: Joe Louis, the heavyweight boxing legend; Joe DiMaggio, baseball's "Yankee Clipper"; and President Joe Biden. A name that wears its confidence lightly.