Yusuf

Boy Name #476 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A prophet's name from the Quran meaning 'God will increase'

Arabic Turkish South Asian Swahili Muslim

Spiritual Strong Classic Elegant Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"God will add, God will increase"

Origin: Arabic

Language: Arabic

"He will add"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Yusuf

Yusuf is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Yosef (Joseph), derived from the root meaning 'to add' or 'God will increase.' The name appears in both the Quran (Surah Yusuf, the 12th chapter) and the Bible (Genesis 30-50) — the story of Yusuf sold into slavery by his brothers, then rising to become vizier of Egypt, is one of the most beloved narratives in all of Abrahamic religion. The name has been carried by millions across the Islamic world for over a millennium.

Yusuf has grown significantly in Western countries as Muslim communities have expanded and families of Islamic faith maintain traditional names. Cat Stevens famously adopted the name Yusuf Islam in 1977 after converting to Islam, bringing the name to mainstream Western consciousness.

Surah Yusuf in the Quran is the only chapter dedicated entirely to one story, and it is described within the Quran itself as 'the best of stories.' Yusuf is counted among the prophets of Islam, making this name deeply sacred for Muslim families. In Turkey, Yusuf has been consistently popular for centuries.

Fun Facts

Surah Yusuf (Chapter 12) of the Quran is described as 'the best of stories' and is the only chapter devoted entirely to a single narrative
Cat Stevens, the legendary British singer-songwriter, adopted the name Yusuf Islam in 1977 upon converting to Islam
Yusuf is among the top 10 baby names in Turkey, Morocco, and several other Muslim-majority countries

Yusuf in Other Languages

Urdu یوسف

Arabic يوسف

Persian یوسف

Swahili Yusuf

Turkish Yusuf

Indonesian Yusuf

Famous People Named Yusuf

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)

Musician

1948

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

Yusuf (Prophet)

Religious

The Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), son of Yaqub (Jacob), central figure in both the Quran and the Bible

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #476
Total SSA Count: 645
Cultural Origins: Arabic Turkish South Asian Swahili Muslim
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Yus Yusu Suf

Pairs Well With

Yusuf Ali Yusuf Hassan Yusuf Ibrahim Yusuf Rahman Yusuf Kareem Yusuf Nasser Yusuf Bilal

Sibling Names

Maryam Fatima Ibrahim Omar Layla Amir Zainab

Similar Names

Jose Joshua Josef Giuseppe Joey Yosef Yusef Yousef

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Frequently Asked Questions About Yusuf

What does the name Yusuf mean?

"God will add, God will increase" (from Arabic). "He will add" (from Hebrew). Yusuf is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Yosef (Joseph), derived from the root meaning 'to add' or 'God will increase.' The name appears in both the Quran (Surah Yusuf, the 12th chapter) and the Bible (Genesis 30-50) — the story of Yusuf sold into slavery by his brothers, then rising to become vizier of Egypt, is one of the most beloved narratives in all of Abrahamic religion. The name has been carried by millions across the Islamic world for over a millennium.

What is the origin of the name Yusuf?

Yusuf has Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, South Asian, Swahili, and Muslim origins. In Arabic, it means "God will add, God will increase". In Hebrew, it means "He will add".

Is Yusuf a boy or girl name?

Yusuf is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Yusuf?

Yusuf is currently ranked #476 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Yusuf?

Common nicknames for Yusuf include Yus, Yusu, and Suf.

What are good middle names for Yusuf?

Popular middle name pairings include Yusuf Ali, Yusuf Hassan, Yusuf Ibrahim, Yusuf Rahman, Yusuf Kareem, Yusuf Nasser, and Yusuf Bilal.

What are good sibling names for Yusuf?

Names that pair well with Yusuf as siblings include Maryam, Fatima, Ibrahim, Omar, Layla, Amir, and Zainab.

How many syllables does Yusuf have?

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

Is Yusuf a common or rare name?

Yusuf is a popular name, ranked #476 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Yusuf

Yusuf is a boy name with Arabic, Turkish, South Asian, Swahili, and Muslim origins . The name means "God will add, God will increase" in Arabic .

Yusuf is currently ranked #476 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Yusuf include Yus, Yusu, and Suf. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.