Yousef
YOO-sef
Yousef is an Arabic transliteration of Joseph, from the Hebrew Yosef meaning “God will increase” or “He will add.” The Y-spelling reflects standard Arabic pronunciation.
In the Quran, Yusuf (Joseph) has an entire surah devoted to his story, making him one of Islam’s most beloved prophets. Yousef is a common English-language spelling variant.
Yousef peaked at No. 725 in 2017 with 330 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 766 with 331 births, essentially matching its all-time high in raw numbers.
What the name Yousef means
Egyptian footballer Mohamed Yousef and various scholars carry the name. Its adoption in the US mirrors growing Muslim community visibility in American naming data.
Two syllables—YOO-sef—are compact and dignified. The long opening vowel and voiceless fricative ending give it a gentle, scholarly sound.
Muslim families in the US choose Yousef as a Quranic name that English speakers can pronounce and spell without significant difficulty.
The name connects to the Joseph family—one of the world’s most universal names—while preserving its specifically Arabic and Islamic identity.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Yousef
Yousef - similar names
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