Last Name Youssef

The surname Youssef is of Arabic origin. It is a variant of the name Joseph, which has its roots in Hebrew and was popularized by the biblical figure Joseph. In Arabic, the name Joseph is transliterated as Yusuf. Over time, variations such as Youssef have emerged due to different pronunciation and spelling conventions. The name is common among Arabic-speaking populations, particularly in Egypt and North Africa.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Youssef

The meaning and origin of the last name Youssef

The surname Youssef is a variant of Joseph, which has both Hebrew and Arabic origins. In Hebrew, Joseph (Yosef) is one of the twelve sons of Jacob and a major figure in the Hebrew Bible. The name is associated with the phrase "May he add (yosif) to you," signifying growth and increase. In Arabic, Youssef is a variant of the prophet Joseph (Yusuf), who is a central character in the Quran and the second most mentioned prophet after Muhammad. The name Youssef carries the connotations of wisdom, beauty, and righteousness associated with the biblical Joseph, as well as the additional qualities of leadership and patience linked to the Islamic prophet Joseph. It has been widely adopted among Arabic-speaking communities, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East.

Geographical distribution of the last name Youssef

The surname Youssef has its origins in the Middle East and is predominantly found among Arabic-speaking populations, particularly those from Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and other North African countries. It is also common in the Levant region, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. Additionally, there are significant communities of individuals with the last name Youssef in various diaspora populations, such as France, Canada, the United States, and Australia, due to migration from these regions. The distribution of this surname indicates its historical roots in the Middle East and North Africa, with a more widespread presence in recent times due to migration patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Youssef

The name Youssef has several variants and spellings across different regions and contexts. Here are some common versions:

1. Yusuf: This is one of the most widespread variations, particularly among Arabic speakers, as it is the transliteration of the name from Arabic to English using the Latin alphabet.

2. Yousef: This spelling is also commonly used in English and other Western languages. It is often pronounced identically to Yusuf but may be phonetically closer to the original Arabic pronunciation.

3. Joseph: In some cases, Youssef can be transliterated as Joseph, especially when referring to the biblical figure, as the name shares a similar meaning and etymology in both Hebrew and Arabic.

4. Ussuf, Ousouf, Ossof, Uzuf: These are less common variations of Youssef that may be found in different cultural or linguistic contexts.

5. Al-Yusuf, ibn Yusuf, bin Yusuf: These additions reflect the Arabic custom of including "ibn" (son of) or "bin" before a father's name.

6. Yusef, Yousep, Joseff: These are phonetic variations that may be found in informal settings or in non-standard English usage.

7. Yousufi and Yusufzai: These are surnames derived from the given name Youssef/Yusuf, often used by individuals of Pashtun ethnicity from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

8. Yusupov, Yusufov, Yusufzade, Jusupov, Jusufov, Jusufzade: These are variations in Russian and other Slavic languages that originate from the Arabic name Youssef/Yusuf or from Islamic influences.

Famous people with the last name Youssef

Notable individuals with the surname Youssef include:

1. Mona Youssef (born 1972), an Egyptian-American mathematician known for her work in algebraic geometry and representation theory. She is a professor at Northwestern University.

2. Bassem Youssef (born 1974), an Egyptian comedian, television host, and satirist who gained international fame for his political satire show "Al-Bernameg." He is often referred to as the Jon Stewart of the Arab World.

3. Hicham Youssef (born 1985), a Moroccan footballer who played as a defender for various clubs, including Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona. He also represented the Morocco national team.

4. Mourad Youssef (born 1960), a Canadian writer known for his novels, essays, and poetry. His works often explore themes of identity, exile, and displacement.

5. Nadia Youssef (born 1978), an Egyptian-American actress who has appeared in several American films and television shows, including "The West Wing" and "24."

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of mathematics, comedy, sports, literature, and acting.

Genealogical research on the last name Youssef

The surname Youssef is of Arabic origin and is predominantly found among individuals of Middle Eastern descent, particularly those from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. The name is derived from the Arabic given name Yusuf, which means "given by God" or "God increases." In Egyptian usage, the surname is often spelled Yousef or Joseph. Notable figures with this surname include the Egyptian actor Adel Imam, Syrian politician Abdul Halim Khaddam, and Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker. The Youssef family tree can be traced back to various historical figures, such as the Prophet Joseph, a significant character in Islamic tradition, and Yusuf al-Azm, an Ottoman governor from the 18th century. The name's frequency suggests a widespread dispersal of Arabic speakers throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Youssef"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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