Yusef Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: YOO-sef //juːˈsɛf//
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: God increases; Hebrew: He will add
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Yusef is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which means "He will add" or "God will increase." The etymological journey begins in ancient Hebrew, where the name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob, Joseph, who is a significant figure in the Book of Genesis. The name then transitioned into Greek as Ioseph and later into Latin as Iosephus, which was used in various historical texts, including the works of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus in the 1st century CE.
From Latin, the name made its way into Old French as Josse and subsequently into Middle English as Joseph, with Yusef being a variant that reflects the Arabic influence on the name. In Islamic tradition, Yusef is recognized as a prophet, and his story is recounted in the Quran, where he is known for his beauty and ability to interpret dreams.
This narrative parallels the biblical account and has contributed to the name's significance in both Jewish and Islamic cultures. The Quranic version of the story, which dates back to the 7th century CE, further solidified the name's importance in the Islamic world, where it is often used in various forms across different cultures.
Culturally, Yusef carries connotations of divine favor and abundance, reflecting its original meaning. The name has been associated with various historical figures, including saints and scholars throughout the centuries, which has helped maintain its resonance in religious and cultural contexts.
In addition to its religious significance, Yusef has also been a popular name in literature and art, symbolizing themes of resilience and redemption. The diminutive form, Yusuf, is commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries, showcasing the name's adaptability across different languages and cultures.
Famous people named Yusef
In this section, you will find notable people named Yusef. 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 Yusef who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Yusef 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.
Yusef Lateef is a musician and composer best known for his work in jazz and world music, particularly with the album Eastern Sounds.
Yusef Komunyakaa is a poet best known for his collections Neon Vernacular, Thieves of Paradise, and The Emperor of Water Clocks.
Yusef al-Qaradawi is a theologian and Islamic scholar best known for his work in Islamic jurisprudence and as a prominent figure in the Muslim Brotherhood.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Yusef, 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 Yusef. 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 Yusef was first seen in the United States in 1962.
Yusef has ranked as high as #1256 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Yusef has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Yusef 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 Yusef was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Yusef (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 21 | |
| CA | 15 | |
| TX | 11 | |
| FL | 6 |
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 Yusef.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 104 |
| 2023 | 63 |
| 2022 | 69 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2020 | 53 |
| 2019 | 54 |
| 2018 | 63 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2015 | 75 |
| 2014 | 76 |
| 2013 | 55 |
| 2012 | 69 |
| 2011 | 71 |
| 2010 | 80 |
| 2009 | 69 |
| 2008 | 82 |
| 2007 | 88 |
| 2006 | 81 |
| 2005 | 65 |
| 2004 | 55 |
| 2003 | 44 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2000 | 51 |
| 1999 | 51 |
| 1998 | 46 |
| 1997 | 50 |
| 1996 | 53 |
| 1995 | 48 |
| 1994 | 53 |
| 1993 | 51 |
| 1992 | 45 |
| 1991 | 45 |
| 1990 | 53 |
| 1989 | 44 |
| 1988 | 43 |
| 1987 | 20 |
| 1986 | 26 |
| 1985 | 28 |
| 1984 | 31 |
| 1983 | 27 |
| 1982 | 46 |
| 1981 | 45 |
| 1980 | 36 |
| 1979 | 38 |
| 1978 | 43 |
| 1977 | 43 |
| 1976 | 55 |
| 1975 | 45 |
| 1974 | 37 |
| 1973 | 52 |
| 1972 | 56 |
| 1971 | 42 |
| 1970 | 46 |
| 1969 | 22 |
| 1968 | 12 |
| 1967 | 17 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1965 | 10 |
| 1964 | 12 |
| 1962 | 9 |