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Yousuf

Boy Name #1,794 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A prophetic Arabic name meaning God increases

Muslim Arabic South Asian African
Spiritual Traditional Classic Strong Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"God will increase, God adds"
Origin: Hebrew via Arabic
Language: Arabic
"may He add"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew

The Story of Yousuf

Yousuf is the Arabic form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning may God add or God will increase. In Islamic tradition, the Prophet Yusuf is celebrated as the most beautiful of stories in the Quran, with an entire chapter (Surah Yusuf) dedicated to his life. The name has been beloved across Muslim-majority countries for over 1,400 years.

Yousuf and its variant Yusuf have been consistently popular across the Muslim world and increasingly common in Western countries. The name ranks among the top names in Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and many African nations. Cat Stevens adopted the name Yusuf Islam upon converting to Islam in 1977.

In Islamic tradition, Yusuf is the Prophet known for his extraordinary beauty, patience in adversity, and wisdom. The Quran's Surah Yusuf is considered one of the most beautifully narrated stories in all of Arabic literature, making the name deeply significant for Muslim families worldwide.

Fun Facts

  • Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) chose this name upon converting to Islam in 1977
  • The Quran's Chapter 12 (Surah Yusuf) is the only surah that tells a single continuous narrative story

Yousuf in Other Languages

Urdu یوسف
Arabic يوسف
Hebrew יוֹסֵף
Persian یوسف
Turkish Yusuf

Famous People Named Yousuf

Y

Yousuf Youhana

Athlete

1974

Pakistani cricket legend and one of Pakistan's greatest batsmen

Y

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)

Musician

1948

British singer-songwriter who converted to Islam in 1977, known for Wild World and Father and Son

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#1,794
Total SSA Count
91
Cultural Origins
Muslim Arabic South Asian African
Pronunciation
Moderate
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Yous Yusu

Pairs Well With

Yousuf Ali Yousuf Hassan Yousuf Ibrahim Yousuf Omar Yousuf Khalid Yousuf Ahmad Yousuf Tariq

Sibling Names

Similar Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yousuf

What does the name Yousuf mean?
"God will increase, God adds" (from Hebrew via Arabic). "may He add" (from Hebrew). Yousuf is the Arabic form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew Yosef, meaning may God add or God will increase. In Islamic tradition, the Prophet Yusuf is celebrated as the most beautiful of stories in the Quran, with an entire chapter (Surah Yusuf) dedicated to his life. The name has been beloved across Muslim-majority countries for over 1,400 years.
What is the origin of the name Yousuf?
Yousuf has Hebrew via Arabic, Hebrew, Muslim, Arabic, South Asian, and African origins. In Hebrew via Arabic, it means "God will increase, God adds". In Hebrew, it means "may He add".
Is Yousuf a boy or girl name?
Yousuf is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Yousuf?
Yousuf is currently ranked #1794 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Yousuf?
Common nicknames for Yousuf include Yous and Yusu.
What are good middle names for Yousuf?
Popular middle name pairings include Yousuf Ali, Yousuf Hassan, Yousuf Ibrahim, Yousuf Omar, Yousuf Khalid, Yousuf Ahmad, and Yousuf Tariq.
What are good sibling names for Yousuf?
Names that pair well with Yousuf as siblings include Ibrahim, Fatima, Maryam, Omar, Aisha, Zainab, and Hassan.
How many syllables does Yousuf have?
Yousuf has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Yousuf a common or rare name?
Yousuf is an uncommon name, ranked #1794 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Yousuf

Yousuf is a boy name with Muslim, Arabic, South Asian, and African origins . The name means "God will increase, God adds" in Hebrew via Arabic .

Yousuf is currently ranked #1,794 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Yousuf has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Yousuf include Yous and Yusu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Yousuf include Yousef, Youssef, Yousif . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

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