Yusef

Pronunciation: [ y-OOS-ehf ]

Boy Name #1,635 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The prophet of patience and ultimate triumph

Arabic Muslim Middle Eastern African

Traditional Spiritual Classic Strong Elegant

Meaning & Origin

"God will increase, God will add"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"may God add (children, blessings)"

Origin: Arabic

Language: Arabic

The Story of Yusef

Yusef (also written Yusuf, Yousef) is the Arabic form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew 'Yosef,' meaning 'God will increase' or 'God will add.' The name appears prominently in both the Bible and the Quran: Joseph is the eleventh of Jacob's twelve sons, sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery before rising to become Pharaoh's vizier. In the Quran, Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) tells this story with additional details, and is called 'the most beautiful of stories.'

Yusef/Yusuf is perennially popular across the Muslim world, as it honors a prophet revered in Islam. In Western countries, it has appeared frequently as Muslim communities have grown.

Yusuf ibn Yaqub (Joseph son of Jacob) is one of the most significant prophets in Islam, honored with an entire chapter of the Quran. The story of Yusuf — betrayal, patience, forgiveness, and ultimate triumph — is considered a model for enduring hardship with grace.

Fun Facts

Surah Yusuf in the Quran is the only chapter devoted entirely to one prophet's story and is called 'ahsanu al-qasas' (the best of stories)
Cat Stevens converted to Islam in 1977 and changed his name to Yusuf Islam — he performs today as Yusuf/Cat Stevens

Yusef in Other Languages

Arabic يوسف

Hebrew יוֹסֵף

Persian یوسف

Swahili Yusufu

Turkish Yusuf

Famous People Named Yusef

Yusuf Abubakar Saraki

Politician

1962

Nigerian politician who served as President of the Nigerian Senate

Yusuf/Cat Stevens

Musician

1948

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

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,635
Total SSA Count: 104
Cultural Origins: Arabic Muslim Middle Eastern African
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Yus Seff

Pairs Well With

Yusef Ali Yusef Ibrahim Yusef Khalid Yusef Hassan Yusef Omar Yusef Tariq Yusef Bilal

Sibling Names

Fatima Ibrahim Zainab Maryam Omar Layla Amira Hassan

Similar Names

Jose Joshua Josef Giuseppe Joey Yusuf Yehuda Yosef

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yusef

What does the name Yusef mean?

"God will increase, God will add" (from Hebrew). "may God add (children, blessings)" (from Arabic). Yusef (also written Yusuf, Yousef) is the Arabic form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew 'Yosef,' meaning 'God will increase' or 'God will add.' The name appears prominently in both the Bible and the Quran: Joseph is the eleventh of Jacob's twelve sons, sold by his brothers into Egyptian slavery before rising to become Pharaoh's vizier. In the Quran, Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) tells this story with additional details, and is called 'the most beautiful of stories.'

What is the origin of the name Yusef?

Yusef has Hebrew, Arabic, Muslim, Middle Eastern, and African origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will increase, God will add". In Arabic, it means "may God add (children, blessings)".

Is Yusef a boy or girl name?

Yusef is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Yusef?

Yusef is pronounced y-OOS-ehf.

How popular is the name Yusef?

Yusef is currently ranked #1635 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Yusef?

Common nicknames for Yusef include Yus and Seff.

What are good middle names for Yusef?

Popular middle name pairings include Yusef Ali, Yusef Ibrahim, Yusef Khalid, Yusef Hassan, Yusef Omar, Yusef Tariq, and Yusef Bilal.

What are good sibling names for Yusef?

Names that pair well with Yusef as siblings include Fatima, Ibrahim, Zainab, Maryam, Omar, Layla, Amira, and Hassan.

How many syllables does Yusef have?

Yusef has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Yusef a common or rare name?

Yusef is an uncommon name, ranked #1635 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Yusef

Yusef is a boy name with Arabic, Muslim, Middle Eastern, and African origins . The name means "God will increase, God will add" in Hebrew .

Yusef is currently ranked #1,635 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Yusef has 2 syllables and is pronounced y-OOS-ehf, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Yusef include Yus and Seff. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.