Yusuf

Yusuf is a male given name of Arabic origin. In Arabic it is written Yūsuf and is the form used across much of the Muslim world. The name is ultimately derived from the Hebrew Yosef (Joseph) and is commonly understood to mean “God increases” or “God will add.” It has many spellings and transliterations, including Yousef, Yousif, Youssef, Youssouf, and Yusuf, reflecting differences in pronunciation and language.

In Islamic tradition, Yusuf is the name of a major prophet who appears in the Qur’an in a narrative spanning trials, temptation, dreams, and eventual restoration of his family. The story emphasizes patience, fidelity to God, and the belief that divine wisdom governs events.

As a given name, Yusuf is common across the Arab world and in many non-Arab Muslim communities, including Turkey, Iran, South Asia, and Africa, as well as among diaspora populations. It is used alone or in combination with other names and has produced a wide range of notable historical and contemporary figures.

Variants and related forms appear in different languages, such as Yousef (Arabicized Persian or Urdu), Yousif (Arabic), Youssef (French-influenced), and Yusuf in Turkish usage. The name is sometimes anglicized as Joseph in non-Arab contexts.