Surname Yousif - Meaning and Origin
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Yousif: What does the surname Yousif mean?
The last name Yousif is an Arabic name most commonly used in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. It is also popular among the Coptic Christians of Egypt. Yousif or Yusef means “God adds; God increases” or “He increases” in Arabic, so it is a name passed down from generation to generation to denote a person who has God’s special blessing.
In some regions, the name Yousif is traditionally used as a given name, while in other countries, it is largely used as a surname. It can also be found in countries where there is a sizable Arabic-speaking population such as India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The name Yousif is also popular among some Jewish communities in Israel, Egypt, and Iraq.
The name carries a deep spiritual significance, as it symbolizes one’s faith in God and a desire to seek God’s blessings for his/her descendants. This belief is kept alive in many cultures today and is reflected in the naming of children, of both Arabic and non-Arabic speaking parents. Whether given as a first name or a surname, the name Yousif will continue to be passed down generation to generation as a reminder of the importance and power of God in our lives.
Order DNA origin analysisYousif: Where does the name Yousif come from?
Yousif is a common, Arabic surname, and it can be found today among Arabic-speaking peoples around the world. In the Middle East, it is especially common in countries like Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. It is also found in Palestine, Kuwait, and Yemen.
In other parts of the world, Yousif is a popular name in countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as in Africa, where it is relatively common in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. Yousif can also be found in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and throughout Europe, as many immigrants from the Middle East and South Asia have settled in these countries. It is also used by African-Americans descended from slaves who came originally from West Africa, primarily in the United States.
Regardless of where it is found, Yousif is used by many and can symbolize a shared ancestry, history, culture, and language among its many bearers. It may thus be a reminder of one's own identity, as well as an indicator of one's place in the larger human family.
Variations of the surname Yousif
The surname Yousif is of Middle Eastern origin, and can take on various spellings and variants depending on the region. In many Eastern European languages, it may appear as Youssef, Yusef, Yossef, Yusuf, Yussuf, Yousef, or Yoosuf. In South East Asian countries, it can appear in the form of Yussuph, Yosuph, Yosoff, or Yousup. It can also be transliterated into English as Yusef, Joseph, Yusuf, Yousuf, Yosuf, or Yousuph.
In different regions of the world, this name may also take on certain nickname forms or suffixes. Depending on time and place, the surname Yousif may be found as Yusefyevich, Yusefov, Yossofian, Yosiphov, Yousifov, Youssefovitch, or Yousifovich. It may also be observed in its diminutive or hypocoristic forms, such as Yosef, Yussi, Yosi, Yousiff, Yussie, Yoffey, Yoffi, Yofi, Yufi, Yuzi, Yoey, Yoyo, Yoe, Yomo, Yossy, or Yovvye.
While historically the surname Yousif would have been found only in Middle Eastern regions, it has lately become quite common in other areas as well, whether through migration, intermarriage, or other means. All these various forms and permutations of this surname no doubt contribute to its widespread prevalence across different nations today.
Famous people with the name Yousif
- Rima Yousif: Rima Yousif is an Iraqi fashion designer, educator and entrepreneur based in Washington D.C. She is the founder of internationally renowned label RIMAYA and creative agency SHAREENY.
- Kadhem Al-Yousif: Kadhem Al-Yousif is a recognized leader in the Shia community in Iraq, a prominent religious scholar and an exceptional poet. He is also the founder of the Yousif Religious Foundation, which provides humanitarian aid to the poor in Iraq.
- Aram Yousif: Aram Yousif is an Iraqi-American comedian, actor, and writer. He is best known for his performances on the Showtime comedy series I'm Dying Up Here, as well as for his stand-up comedy shows.
- Mazin Yousif: Mazin Yousif is a renowned Iraqi-American filmmaker and producer. He is the founder and CEO of Mazin Yousif and Sons Productions, where he produces films and documentaries focused on the struggles of Middle Eastern and North African communities.
- Idan Yousif: Idan Yousif is an Israeli-Iraqi singer-songwriter and musician who has become renowned for his catchy, well-produced pop songs. He has released a number of critically acclaimed albums, including House Of Cards and Playground.