Youssef Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOO-sef //juːˈsɛf//
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: God increases; Hebrew: He will add
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Youssef is of Arabic origin, derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning "God will add" or "God increases." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Joseph is a significant figure, known for his coat of many colors and his rise to power in Egypt. The name was transliterated into Greek as Iōsēph and later into Latin as Iosephus, which influenced its adoption in various languages, including Old French as Josse and ultimately into English as Joseph.
The Arabic form Youssef emerged as a common variant in the Islamic tradition, where the story of Joseph is also recounted in the Quran, emphasizing his virtues and trials. Throughout history, the name Youssef has been borne by numerous notable figures, including saints, scholars, and rulers.
In the Christian tradition, Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary, is a prominent figure celebrated in various liturgical calendars. His feast day is observed on March 19 in the Western Christian tradition, while the Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him on the Sunday after Christmas.
The name has also been associated with various historical leaders in the Islamic world, contributing to its cultural significance. Culturally, Youssef carries connotations of resilience and divine favor, resonating with themes of hope and perseverance found in the narratives surrounding its biblical and Quranic namesake.
The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with diminutives such as Yossi in Hebrew and Yusuf in Arabic, each reflecting local linguistic traditions while maintaining the core meaning. This enduring legacy underscores the name's importance in both religious and cultural contexts, marking it as a symbol of faith and strength.
Famous people named Youssef
In this section, you will find notable people named Youssef. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Youssef who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Youssef who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Youssef Chahine was a film director best known for Cairo Station, The Land, and Alexandria... Why?
Youssef El-Arabi is a professional footballer best known for playing with clubs like Granada and Al-Duhail.
Youssef Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, is a musician best known for songs like Father and Son, Wild World, and Peace Train.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Youssef, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Youssef. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Youssef was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Youssef has ranked as high as #2250 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Youssef has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Youssef is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Youssef was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Youssef.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 110 | 110 |
| 2024 | 107 | 107 |
| 2023 | 122 | 122 |
| 2022 | 140 | 140 |
| 2021 | 123 | 123 |
| 2020 | 114 | 114 |
| 2019 | 151 | 151 |
| 2018 | 148 | 148 |
| 2017 | 193 | 193 |
| 2016 | 191 | 191 |
| 2015 | 186 | 186 |
| 2014 | 175 | 175 |
| 2013 | 173 | 173 |
| 2012 | 147 | 147 |
| 2011 | 108 | 108 |
| 2010 | 110 | 110 |
| 2009 | 96 | 96 |
| 2008 | 119 | 119 |
| 2007 | 86 | 86 |
| 2006 | 100 | 100 |
| 2005 | 98 | 98 |
| 2004 | 86 | 86 |
| 2003 | 96 | 96 |
| 2002 | 87 | 87 |
| 2001 | 86 | 86 |
| 2000 | 74 | 74 |
| 1999 | 67 | 67 |
| 1998 | 69 | 69 |
| 1997 | 36 | 36 |
| 1996 | 44 | 44 |
| 1995 | 33 | 33 |
| 1994 | 34 | 34 |
| 1993 | 25 | 25 |
| 1992 | 27 | 27 |
| 1991 | 25 | 25 |
| 1990 | 18 | 18 |
| 1989 | 12 | 12 |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 |
| 1987 | 11 | 11 |
| 1986 | 9 | 9 |
| 1985 | 9 | 9 |
| 1984 | 12 | 12 |
| 1983 | 10 | 10 |
| 1982 | 8 | 8 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 |
| 1980 | 7 | 7 |
| 1976 | 5 | 5 |
| 1974 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Youssef (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| MI | 12 | |
| NJ | 11 | |
| CA | 11 | |
| FL | 10 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| TX | 9 | |
| VA | 9 | |
| TN | 5 |