Yosuf
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "He will increase".
Name Census estimates that about 38 living Americans carry the first name Yosuf. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Yosuf today is around 13 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Yosuf births was 2010 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Yosuf. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Yosuf. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
38
~ 1 in 9,019,851 Americans
Peak year
2010
7 babies that year
Average age
13
years old
2024 SSA rank
#14,165
Tracked since 1992
Popularity
Yosuf: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Yosuf from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 23 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Yosuf remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Yosuf by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Yosuf during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Yosufs live
Origin
Meaning and history of Yosuf
The name Yosuf has its origins in the ancient Semitic languages, tracing back to the Hebrew name Yosef, which means "he will add" or "increaser." It is derived from the Hebrew root "yasaf," signifying addition or increase. This name has been prominent in various cultures and religions throughout history.
The name Yosuf gained significant recognition in the Islamic tradition, where it is associated with the biblical figure Joseph, son of the patriarch Jacob. The story of Yosuf is prominently featured in the Qur'an, and he is revered as a prophet and a wise leader. The name's popularity among Muslims can be attributed to this connection.
In the biblical account, Yosuf was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a powerful advisor to the Pharaoh of Egypt. His ability to interpret dreams and his wisdom in managing the country's resources during a period of famine made him a respected figure in ancient Egyptian history.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Yosuf can be found in the Book of Genesis, which dates back to the second millennium BCE. The biblical narrative portrays Yosuf as a pivotal character, highlighting his resilience, integrity, and leadership qualities.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Yosuf. One prominent example is Yusuf ibn Tashfin (1009-1106 CE), the Berber ruler and founder of the Almoravid dynasty in North Africa and parts of the Iberian Peninsula. His military campaigns and efforts to spread Islamic teachings had a significant impact on the region during the 11th century.
Another historical figure is Yusuf al-Fityani (1508-1569 CE), a Moroccan scholar and mathematician known for his contributions to the field of astronomy and navigation. His works, such as the "Epistle on Navigation," influenced the development of maritime sciences in the Mediterranean region.
In the realm of literature, Yusuf Khass Hajib (1025-1077 CE), a Turkic poet and scholar, left a lasting legacy with his influential work "Kutadgu Bilig," a mirror for princes that provided guidance on governance and ethics.
The name Yosuf also holds significance in the Baha'i faith, where Yusuf Effendi Baha'u'llah (1817-1892 CE), the founder of the religion, bore this name. His teachings and writings laid the foundation for the Baha'i principles of unity, equality, and peace.
Another notable bearer of the name is Yusuf Idris (1927-1991 CE), an Egyptian writer and playwright celebrated for his contributions to modern Arabic literature. His works, such as the novel "The Sin," explored complex social and political themes and earned him critical acclaim.
People
Yosuf + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Yosuf as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Y
Other first names starting with Y with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Yosuf: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Yosuf?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 38 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Yosuf going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 9,019,851 US residents.
Is Yosuf a common name?
We classify Yosuf as "Very Rare". It ranks above 50.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 38 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Yosuf most popular?
The single biggest year for Yosuf was 2010, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Yosuf is about 13 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Yosuf a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Yosuf in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.