Surname Yousaf - Meaning and Origin
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Yousaf: What does the surname Yousaf mean?
The last name Yousaf is derived from the Arabic name Yūsuf, meaning “God increases in power” or “God adds”. It can also be interpreted as “May Allah add”. Yousaf is a name used primarily in South Asian countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.
The name is believed to have been given in memory of the Prophet Yusuf, an important figure in Islamic mythology, who was also known as the “Kind Prophet” as he provided help to people in need. Prophet Yusuf was known for his leadership qualities, wisdom, and strong faith in God.
The surname Yousaf has also been associated with the Sufi movement. Sufism is an Islamic school of thought which encourages one to view life and to live in accordance with its spiritual and moral teachings. The spiritual path offered by Sufism is seen as the best way to cultivate inner peace and fulfillment.
Today, people with the last name Yousaf are widely distributed around the world. They have settled in a variety of countries such as America, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The caring and generous nature of these people has endeared them to their new homes. While some people with the last name Yousaf still practice the religion, others have adopted entirely different lifestyles.
Overall, the last name Yousaf is symbolic of faith, hope, compassion, and generosity. Those who bear this last name should be proud of the legacy which it provides.
Order DNA origin analysisYousaf: Where does the name Yousaf come from?
The last name Yousaf is most commonly found in the Middle East, predominantly in Pakistan. It is also seen in India and other countries in South Asia, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Yousaf is a variant of "Joseph" and was originally used as a patronymic—a name derived from a father's first name—in Jewish cultures and other Middle Eastern cultures. It is not known when or how the Yousaf variant came into use. It is also not uncommon to see the Yousaf surname combined with other Middle Eastern names, such as Youssef, Yousafzay, Yusef, Youssef, and Yousafi.
Today, Muslims are among the most common carriers of the Yousaf surname. Given that Joseph is revered in the Quran—in some versions of the Bible, he is also the son of Jacob—the association of Yousaf with Islam is understandable. Most Muslims in Pakistan are descendants of Ismael, the son of Ibrahim, and hence their last name is Yousaf.
The Yousaf family has roots in many different places around the Middle East and it's quite possible to find a member with this last name in almost any Middle Eastern country. In addition to this, Yousaf is also found outside the Middle East. For example, there are many Yousaf families in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and South Africa. Wherever the Yousaf family is found, Joseph is considered an honorable figure and the family is held in high regard.
Variations of the surname Yousaf
The surname Yousaf is an Arabic patronymic name derived from the Muslim prophet Yusuf. It is usually Anglicized as Youssef or Yusef. Ali, Yusufi, and Yusufzai are all variants of the same name.
Spellings: Yousef, Youseff, Yousif, Yousiff, Yousuf, Yousufe, Yousuff, Youssouf, Youssouff, Yousufi, Yousufy, Yousufzai
Surnames of the same origin: Yoes, Yousafzai, Yuesef, Yusoff, Yusof, Yusoof, Yusufe, Yusufi, Yusufigar, Yusufzai, Yousup.
Yousaf is one of the most commonly found surnames around the world, especially in the Islamic world. It is the 63rd most frequent surname in Pakistan and 5,053rd in the United States according to the census of 2000. The surname is most prevalent in the Middle East, and its variants are found in places with substantial Muslim populations, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, North Africa, the Balkans, Turkey, Central Asia, Indonesia and parts of China.
In India, Yousaf is spelled as Yousuf orYusuf. The name is also popular among Jews, notably the Mizrahi denominations, having been borne by noted rabbis, and is transmitted among them in the form Yusef or Yuval.
In Europe, variants are commonly spelled Yousofi, Youssouff, Youssef, Youssouf, Yusuf, Yousefi, Yussefy, Yusef, Yussuf, Yussoup, Yussoufi.
Famous people with the name Yousaf
- Hina Rabbani Khar: She is a Pakistani diplomat and politician who served as Foreign Minister of Pakistan from 2011 to 2013 and was the first woman to assume this office.
- Zardari Yousaf: He is a Pakistani politician who served as President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.
- Shahbaz Yousaf: He is a Pakistani politician and former member of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013. He has served as a leader within Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, since 2017.
- Umer Yousaf: He is a Pakistani politician, currently serving as a member of the National Assembly from the constituency of Attock, Punjab since 2018.
- Bilawal Yousaf: He is a Pakistani politician, and chairman of the PPP since June 2013. He is the son of former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto.
- Muhammad Yousaf: He is a Pakistani cricket player who represented Pakistan from 1987 to 2003.
- Ehsan Yousaf: He is a Pakistani poet, scholar, writer and an expert on Islamic studies.
- Hakeem Yousaf: He is a Pakistani politician and former Member of the Provincial Assembly from 2002 to 2007 and again in the 2018 election.
- Aamer Yousaf: He is a Pakistani actor and singer, known for his roles in such TV series and films as ‘Koi Nahi Apna’ and ‘Muqabil.’
- Irfan Yousaf: He is a Pakistani cricketer who has represented the country in various international events.