"God will increase; God shall add"
Origin: Hebrew (Yosef) via Arabic
Language: Arabic
Yousif
Pronunciation: [ y-OWS-ihf ]
Boy Name
#2,202 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
The Quran's most beautiful story, worn as a name
Arabic
Muslim
Iraqi
Gulf Arab
African Muslim
Spiritual
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Elegant
Meaning & Origin
"he who adds; the increaser"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Arabic/Hebrew
The Story of Yousif
Yousif is an Arabic form of the Hebrew name Yosef (Joseph), derived from the Hebrew 'yasaf' meaning 'he will add' or 'God shall increase.' In the Quran, Yusuf (as spelled in classical Arabic) has an entire chapter devoted to his story — Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) — which tells of Joseph the dreamer and his journey from slavery to becoming Vizier of Egypt. It is described in the Quran as 'the best of stories.'
Yousif (and variants Yousef, Yusuf) is consistently among the most popular names in Arab countries, particularly in Iraq, Bahrain, and Gulf Arab states, where 'Yousif' is the dominant spelling. Across the Muslim world, it routinely ranks in the top 5 or 10 boys' names. The Quranic story of Yusuf's beauty, wisdom, and perseverance makes it universally admired.
In Islam, the story of Yusuf is considered 'ahsan al-qasas' — the most beautiful of stories. The Quranic Yusuf was said to have been given half of all human beauty. The name is thus associated with extraordinary physical attractiveness as well as wisdom and patience. In Christianity, Joseph is the earthly father of Jesus; in Judaism, Joseph is one of the twelve patriarchs.
Fun Facts
- Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12 of the Quran) is the only chapter devoted entirely to one narrative story, making it unique among Quranic chapters
- Joseph/Yusuf/Yousif appears prominently in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — among the most cross-cultural of all names
- The saying 'Yusuf's beauty' is an Arabic idiom for extraordinary handsomeness, based on the Quranic description of the prophet
Yousif in Other Languages
Arabic
يوسف
Hebrew
יוֹסֵף
Persian
یوسف
Swahili
Yusufu
Turkish
Yusuf
Famous People Named Yousif
Y
Youssou N'Dour
Musician
1959
Senegalese singer and percussionist, one of Africa's most celebrated musicians, known for the album 7 Seconds with Neneh...
Senegalese singer and percussionist, one of Africa's most celebrated musicians, known for the album 7 Seconds with Neneh Cherry
Y
Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)
Musician
1948
British singer-songwriter who converted to Islam in 1977 and changed his name to Yusuf Islam; wrote 'Wild World' and 'Fa...
British singer-songwriter who converted to Islam in 1977 and changed his name to Yusuf Islam; wrote 'Wild World' and 'Father and Son'
Y
Yousif (Prophet Yusuf)
Religious
Islamic prophet whose story fills Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12), described as possessing extraordinary beauty, wisdom, and pa...
Islamic prophet whose story fills Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12), described as possessing extraordinary beauty, wisdom, and patience through trials
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,202
- Total SSA Count
- 66
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Muslim Iraqi Gulf Arab African Muslim
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Yous
Sif
Pairs Well With
Yousif Ali
Yousif Hassan
Yousif Abdullah
Yousif Ibrahim
Yousif Mohammed
Yousif Khalid
Yousif Tariq
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Yousif
What does the name Yousif mean?
"God will increase; God shall add" (from Hebrew (Yosef) via Arabic). "he who adds; the increaser" (from Hebrew). Yousif is an Arabic form of the Hebrew name Yosef (Joseph), derived from the Hebrew 'yasaf' meaning 'he will add' or 'God shall increase.' In the Quran, Yusuf (as spelled in classical Arabic) has an entire chapter devoted to his story — Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) — which tells of Joseph the dreamer and his journey from slavery to becoming Vizier of Egypt. It is described in the Quran as 'the best of stories.'
What is the origin of the name Yousif?
Yousif has Hebrew (Yosef) via Arabic, Hebrew, Arabic, Muslim, Iraqi, Gulf Arab, and African Muslim origins. In Hebrew (Yosef) via Arabic, it means "God will increase; God shall add". In Hebrew, it means "he who adds; the increaser".
Is Yousif a boy or girl name?
Yousif is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Yousif?
Yousif is pronounced y-OWS-ihf.
How popular is the name Yousif?
Yousif is currently ranked #2202 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yousif?
Common nicknames for Yousif include Yous and Sif.
What are good middle names for Yousif?
Popular middle name pairings include Yousif Ali, Yousif Hassan, Yousif Abdullah, Yousif Ibrahim, Yousif Mohammed, Yousif Khalid, and Yousif Tariq.
What are good sibling names for Yousif?
Names that pair well with Yousif as siblings include Ibrahim, Maryam, Fatima, Omar, Zahra, Khalid, and Amira.
How many syllables does Yousif have?
Yousif has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yousif a common or rare name?
Yousif is an uncommon name, ranked #2202 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Yousif
Yousif is a boy name with Arabic, Muslim, Iraqi, Gulf Arab, and African Muslim origins . The name means "God will increase; God shall add" in Hebrew (Yosef) via Arabic .
Yousif is currently ranked #2,202 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Yousif has 2 syllables and is pronounced y-OWS-ihf, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Yousif include Yous and Sif. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Yousif include Yousef, Youssef, Yousuf . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.