Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Hussein

Hussein

♂ Boy

Pronounced hoo-SAYN /huˈseɪn/Medium

Meaning: a diminutive of Arabic 'hasan' meaning 'good, handsome'Medium

In 30 seconds: Hussein is an Arabic name, a diminutive of Hasan, meaning 'good' or 'handsome'. The smaller form carries that praise affectionately.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumArabic
Meaninga diminutive of Arabic 'hasan' meaning 'good, handsome'
U.S. rank (2025)#1894 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births83 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,403

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519672025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name is the diminutive of the Arabic Hasan, so it softens 'good, handsome' into something more endearing. It is one of the most widely used names across the Arabic-speaking world. Spellings vary in the Latin alphabet, but the Arabic root is constant.

You will see it written as Husayn, Husain, or Hussain depending on transliteration, with Hocine as a North African form. All trace back to the same Hasan root.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Hussein is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Hussein — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

HusainHusaynHussainHocineHasan

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

  • ★Hussein of Jordan (1935-1999)
    King of Jordan who reigned from 1952 until his death
  • ★Saddam Hussein (1937-2006)
    President of Iraq from 1979 to 2003
  • ★Hussein ibn Ali (626-680)
    grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, revered in Islam

If you like Hussein…

Hasan— the root name Hussein is a diminutive of
Hussain— a common alternate transliteration of the same name
Yasin— a similarly popular pick
Amin— lands in the same popularity range
Yassin— a fellow Arabic choice

Explore names like Hussein

By themearabic
By meaningBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hussein mean?

Hussein is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Arabic tradition.

How do you pronounce Hussein?

It's commonly said hoo-SAYN /huˈseɪn/.

Is Hussein a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Hussein is used as a boy name.

How popular is Hussein?

In 2024, Hussein ranked #1654 in the U.S. for boys, with 102 births recorded.

💬 Ask Nia