Surname Yousef - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'Y'
Yousef: What does the surname Yousef mean?
The last name Yousef is of Hebrew origin and is rooted in the name Joseph. The name Joseph is derived from the Hebrew Yosef, which means “may He add” or “may God increase”. Another possible origin is the Arabic Yusuf, which is derived from the Arabic word for “easy”. The last name Yousef has historically been used to refer to people both of Jewish and Islamic backgrounds. In both traditions, the name is used as a reference to the Biblical figure Joseph, and to God's favor and power.
The meaning of the name Yousef is that of an individual who is favored by God and who is also humble, faithful, and wise. In the Biblical account, Joseph is known for his wisdom and humility, despite being sold into slavery and taken far from his home due to his brothers' jealousy. He is able to grow in wisdom and understanding while being faithful to God, despite his trying circumstances.
The name Yousef is believed to bring the favor of God, power, and wisdom into a person’s life. It is said that those who bear this name will be diligent, humble, and wise, always remaining faithful despite life's challenges. As such, the name is often looked upon positively by those of both Judaic and Islamic backgrounds, as it is said to bring blessings and joy.
Order DNA origin analysisYousef: Where does the name Yousef come from?
The last name Yousef is most commonly found today among Arabic-speaking people in the Middle East and in countries with large Arabic-speaking populations such as Turkey, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. In addition to these countries, Yousef has a significant presence in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both of which contain large populations of Arabic descent. Yousef is also common among Lebanese, Egyptians, and other Arab populations including those living in North Africa and around the Mediterranean Sea.
There are currently over 22,000 people around the world with the last name Yousef, making it one of the 200 most common surnames in the world. Yousef has spread to a variety of different cultures and populations due to immigration, inter-marriage, and other forms of cultural exchange in recent decades. It can be found among Spanish, Dutch, and other Mediterranean European populations, as well as among English speaking populations such as in the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In all, Yousef is a widely dispersed surname found all over the world, and it is continuously spreading to new populations as more and more people bear it as a sign of their ancestral heritage.
Variations of the surname Yousef
The surname Yousef is an Arabic spelling for the common name Joseph. It has several variants and alternate spellings throughout various languages, cultures, and countries. In Arabic, it is spelled يوسف, Yousuf. In Hebrew and Jewish cultures, it is spelled יוסף, Yossef. In Turkish, it is written Yusuf. In Persian and Azerbaijani, it is written Yuşaf. In Urdu and Pakistani, it is written Yousuf or Yoosuf.
Yousef is also commonly seen as a single-syllable surname in places like Armenia, disguised as Usik, Usko, Youssik, or Yosik. That may be in part due to its high frequency in Armenian-speaking countries.
The surname is an anglicized variation of Yousef, and it has several alternative spellings. In the United Kingdom and the United States, it may also be found as Yusef, Yusuf, Yoosuf, Yousif, Yousiff, Youssef or Yousuf. In Australia, it can be seen as Yosaf, Yosuf, Yousup or Yousif. In Saudi Arabia, it may be seen as Yoosuf.
The surname also has common derivatives, or family names created from surnames. These include Yousif, Youseff, Youcef, Yousof, Yosef, and Yousof.
Overall, the surname Yousef is seen in many countries and cultures throughout the world, taking on new spellings and derivatives with each new language or location. A person with this surname may find countless variations and alternative spellings depending on the country and culture in which they are living.
Famous people with the name Yousef
- Sadiq Khan: Former Mayor of London and Member of the British Parliament
- Nasser Youssef: Egyptian actor, writer, and director
- Said Yousef: Palestinian literary critic and linguist
- Zuhair Yousef: Saudi businessman
- Khaled Almaeena: Saudi journalist
- Mohammad Yousef: Iranian footballer
- Moustafa Yousef: Syrian composer
- Alaa Youssef: Egyptian digital artist
- Omar Yousef: Libyan computer scientist
- Refaat Emad Wrafi Yousef: Egyptian painter