Youssef
Meaningform of Joseph · Arabic
Youssef is an Arabic boy name meaning “form of Joseph”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Youssef would score 13 points, thanks largely to the Y (worth 4).
- GenerationYoussef peaked in 2016, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Youssef you'd meet today is about 9 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Youssef would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 15,528 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryYoussef first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Youssefs? Head to Massachusetts, where it's the #620 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Youssef
Youssef is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “form of Joseph”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 2010s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
Other spellings of Youssef
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Youssef
What does the name Youssef mean?
Youssef means “form of Joseph” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Yousuf (“form of Joseph”).
What is the origin of the name Youssef?
Youssef is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Youssef a boy or girl name?
Youssef is a boy name. In 2025, 110 US boys were named Youssef.
How popular is the name Youssef?
Youssef ranked #1,554 for US boys in 2025, given to 110 babies. Its best year was 2016, when it reached #1,037. Over the last five years it has slipped 65 places.
What names are similar to Youssef?
If you like Youssef, you might also like Yousef and Yousuf. Yousef is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Youssef?
Youssef is an Arabic boy name meaning “form of Joseph”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.