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Yusef

Boy name · 11 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Yusef: 11 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2008.

Yusef is the Arabic and Persian form of Joseph, derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning “God will add” or “God increases.” The name carries deep significance across Abrahamic faiths, appearing in the Quran as the prophet Yusuf, whose story of being sold into slavery and rising to power in Egypt is one of the most celebrated narratives in Islamic tradition. Famous bearers include Yusuf Islam, the British musician formerly known as Cat Stevens, who converted to Islam in the late 1970s. The name also connects to the American diplomat Yusef Salaam, one of the exonerated Central Park Five. No major places are directly named after a bearer, though the etymological root Joseph has inspired countless towns and cities worldwide. A notable variant is Youssef, common across North Africa and the Middle East, while in Scotland, the name remains relatively rare but appears with growing multicultural influence.