Jos.

Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Given Name

Jos. stands for Joseph, a given name abbreviation.

Short written form of Joseph in old documents, censuses, signatures and company names. Several American businesses founded in the 19th century kept it in their official names.

Example: Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. of Milwaukee billed its product as "the beer that made Milwaukee famous."

Usage notes

In hurried handwriting, Jos. is easily confused with Jas. (James), a frequent problem in census indexes. Several companies kept the founder's abbreviated name, as the menswear retailer Jos. A. Bank still does. Latin registers write the name Josephus.

Related abbreviations

More given name abbreviations

• Eliz. – Elizabeth
• Fredk. – Frederick
• Geo. – George
• Hy. – Henry
• Jas. – James
• Jno. – John
• Margt. – Margaret
• Nathl. – Nathaniel
• Richd. – Richard
• Robt. – Robert
• Saml. – Samuel
• Thos. – Thomas

See all 19 given name abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.