Find out how popular the first name Yousaf has been for the last 31 years (from 1993 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yousaf by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Yousaf is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yousaf.

The history of the first name Yousaf

Yousaf is a masculine given name derived from the Arabic name Yusuf, which itself is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Joseph. The name traces its origins back to ancient Semitic languages, with the Hebrew root "yasaf" meaning "to add" or "to increase."

The name Yusuf appears in the Quran as the name of the prophet Joseph, son of Jacob. The story of Joseph is recounted in detail in the 12th chapter of the Quran, describing his trials, tribulations, and eventual rise to a position of power in Egypt. This account has made the name Yusuf and its variants popular among Muslims around the world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Yousaf can be found in the writings of the 13th-century Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi, who mentions a Sufi saint named Yousaf al-Hamadani in his poetic works. This suggests that the variant spelling Yousaf was already in use by that time in parts of the Muslim world.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Yousaf. One of the most famous was Yousaf Khan Hotaki (1672-1738), an Afghan military leader who briefly ruled Persia from 1722 to 1725 after overthrowing the Safavid dynasty. His reign, though short-lived, marked a significant period in the history of the region.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Yousaf Raza Gillani (born 1952), a Pakistani politician who served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2008 to 2012. His tenure was marked by various political challenges and ultimately ended with his disqualification by the Supreme Court.

In literature, Yousaf Idris (1927-1991) was an influential Egyptian writer and playwright. His works explored social and political themes, and he is considered one of the pioneers of the modern Arabic short story genre.

The name Yousaf has also been borne by several religious figures, including Yousaf al-Nabhani (1849-1932), a prominent Islamic scholar and the founder of the Nabhani movement in Syria and Lebanon.

Lastly, Yousaf Salah Uddin (born 1935) is a renowned Indian poet and writer who has made significant contributions to Urdu literature. His works have explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary, earning him numerous honors and awards.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Yousaf was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yousaf, please contact us.

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