Hossain

Hossain is a given name and surname with roots in the Arabic name Hussein. It is a transliteration of حسين, derived from the Arabic root h-s-n meaning beauty, good, or excellence. The form Hossain is one of several variants in English transliteration, alongside Hussein, Husayn, Hossein, and Hussain. The name is widely used across the Muslim world, particularly in the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, and the Bengali-speaking world, and has spread to diasporic communities.

In Islamic tradition, Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and son of Ali and Fatimah, is the most prominent bearer of the name. He is a central figure in Shia Islam, revered for his stand at Karbala in 680 CE, where he and his companions were martyred. The commemoration of his martyrdom, especially during Ashura, contributes to the name's cultural resonance in many communities. The name is commonly given to boys and, less commonly, used as a surname or part of a compound family name.

Notable people with the name include historical and contemporary figures such as religious leaders, politicians, and athletes who bear variants of the name. In various languages, the spelling adapts to local phonology, affecting pronunciation without changing the core meaning.