Iōsēs (Ἰωσῆς, G2500) is a contracted form of the name Joseph (Iōsēph) meaning 'may he add' or 'God will add/increase.' From Hebrew Yosef (H3130). This form appears in Mark 6:3 (a brother of Jesus), Mark 15:40,47 (son of Mary, a witness at the crucifixion), and Acts 4:36 (Joseph Barnabas — 'son of encouragement'). Two or more distinct individuals bear this name in the New Testament.
The name Joses/Joseph (Iōsēs) carries the promise of divine increase and addition — and the New Testament figures who bear it fulfill this in remarkable ways. The Joseph of Genesis was sold into slavery and became the savior of nations (Genesis 50:20): 'You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.' Barnabas — whose birth name was Joses (Acts 4:36) — was renamed 'Son of Encouragement' and became one of the great bridge-builders of the early church, introducing Paul to the apostles (Acts 9:27) and championing John Mark when Paul had given up on him (Acts 15:39). The pattern of the Iōsēs/Yosef archetype: passed over, misjudged, or marginal in human reckoning, but central to God's redemptive plan. Every 'Joses' is a reminder that God specializes in adding value where humans subtract it.