The name Yusuf has its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, which itself comes from the root word yasaf, meaning "to add" or "to increase". This root word is also related to the Hebrew word "lehosef", meaning "he will add".

The name Yusuf is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as the name of the biblical prophet Joseph. In the Quran, the story of Yusuf (Joseph) is told in great detail, recounting his trials and tribulations, as well as his eventual rise to power in Egypt. This association with the biblical figure has made the name Yusuf a popular choice among Muslims.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Yusuf dates back to the 7th century CE. Yusuf ibn Tashfin was the founder and first king of the Almoravid dynasty, which ruled over parts of North Africa and Andalusia (modern-day Spain and Portugal) from the late 11th to the mid-12th century.

Another notable figure in history who bore the name Yusuf was Yusuf ibn Ismail, also known as Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi or Saladin. He was the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria and is best known for his military campaigns against the Crusaders in the 12th century. He was born in 1137 CE and died in 1193 CE.

In the 19th century, Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, was a British singer-songwriter and convert to Islam. He was born in 1948 and is known for his successful music career in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as his philanthropic work after embracing Islam.

Another famous Yusuf was Yusuf Idris, an Egyptian novelist and playwright who was a prominent figure in the modernist literary movement in the Arab world. He was born in 1927 and died in 1991, leaving behind a significant body of work that explored social issues and the human condition.

Yusuf Lule was a Ugandan politician and the first president of Uganda after the overthrow of Idi Amin in 1979. He served as president for a brief period of 68 days before being deposed in a military coup. He was born in 1912 and died in 1985.