HUSSEIN
The surname Hussein is of Arabic origin and derives from the personal name Hussein, which translates as “good” or “handsome” and may also be rendered as “good‑looking one”. It is primarily borne by Muslims and is often linked to the family of the Prophet Muhammad.
In the Islamic tradition, Hussein is most frequently associated with the revered martyr Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet. The burial of this figure at Karbala during the Battle of Karbala has made the name an emblem of sacrifice, resistance to injustice and steadfast faith, particularly within Shia Islam.
The surname is widespread across the Middle East, appearing in countries such as Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It is also common in parts of North Africa, including Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, as well as in South Asian regions such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Migration has spread the name to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and various European states.
Among modern historical figures are former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Jordanian King Hussein I, both of whom carried the surname. Their prominence has contributed to the name’s visibility worldwide.
Numerous orthographic variants exist, reflecting influences of regional pronunciation and transliteration conventions. Common spellings include Husein, Husain, Husayn, Hussain, Husayni, Husseini and Hussayni. The form Husseini is especially prevalent in North Africa and Central Asia. In certain contexts the surname is combined with other family names, producing double‑barreled forms such as Al‑Husseini or Al‑Husayn, which traditionally indicate belonging to a particular clan or lineage.
In contemporary society the surname Hussein remains a marker of cultural and religious identity. It is used not only as a sign of honour towards the Prophet’s lineage but also as a symbol of unity, resilience, and the pursuit of justice in challenging circumstances. Its continued usage across diverse linguistic and national contexts underscores its enduring significance within the global Muslim community.
Typical given names associated with the Hussein surname
Male
- Abdul
- Ahmed
- Ali
- Hassan
- Hussein
- Ibrahim
- Mehmet
- Mohamed
- Mohammed
- Mustafa
Female
- Amal
- Amina
- Asha
- Fadumo
- Fatima
- Fatma
- Hanife
- Hulya
- Sahra
- Sara
- Susan
- Yasmin
Similar and related surnames
- Hoosein
- Hossein
- Hosein
- Hosseini
- Hossain
- Hoosain
- Housan
- Hussien
- Husseini
- Haazen
- Haisan
- Haison
- Hasan
- Hasana
- Hasani
- Hasanie
- Haseen
- Hasen
- Hasin
- Hasina
- Hasna
- Hasnaoui
- Hasni
- Hasnie
- Hason
- Hasoon
- Hasoun
- Hassaan
- Hassain
- Hassaine
- Hassan
- Hassane
- Hassani
- Hassania
- Hassein
- Hassen
- Hassien
- Hassin
- Hassine
- Hassini
- Hassn
- Hasson
- Hassona
- Hassoon
- Hassoun
- Hassouna
- Hasyn
- Hauesn
- Hausen
- Hauson
- Hawsen
- Hawson
- Haysen
- Haysin
- Hayson
- Hayzen
- Hazan
- Hazen
- Hazeon
- Hazin
- Hazon
- Hazzan
- Heason
- Heesen
- Heeson
- Heezen
- Hesen
- Hesion
- Heson
- Hessan
- Hessen
- Hessin
- Hesson
- Heusen
- Heuson
- Heussen
- Hewson
- Heysen
- Heyson
- Hison
- Hissen
- Hisson
- Hizon
- Hoason
- Hocine
- Hoosan
- Hoosen
- Hooson
- Hosain
- Hosaini
- Hosan
- Hosanee
- Hoseini
- Hosen
- Hosenie
- Hosiene
- Hosin
- Hosna
- Hosni
- Hoson
- Hossaine
- Hossaini
- Hossan
- Hosseinnia
- Hosseiny
- Hossen
- Hosseni
- Hossien
- Hossin
- Hossini
- Hossni
- Hosson
- Houieson
- Houison
- Housen
- Housin
- Houson
- Houssain
- Houssein
- Houssen
- Houssien
- Houssin
- Houssni
- Housson
- Howsan
- Howsen
- Howsin
- Howson
- Hoyson
- Hsien
- Hsin
- Hsuan
- Hueson
- Huison
- Husain
- Husaini
- Husainy
- Husan
- Husani
- Husayn
- Huseen
- Husein
- Huseini
- Husen
- Huseyin
- Huseyn
- Husien
- Husin
- Huskin
- Husni
- Husnoo
- Husnu
- Huson
- Hussain
- Hussaini
- Hussainy
- Hussan
- Hussani
- Hussee
- Hussen
- Husseni
- Husseyin
- Husseyn
- Hussian
- Hussin
- Hussini
- Husson
- Husssain
- Hysen
- Hyseni
- Hysion
- Hyson
- Husaain
- Husanu
- Hussai
- Hussains
- Hussene
- Hyusein
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Hussein in...
Braille
⠓⠥⠎⠎⠑⠊⠝
Morse
......-.........-.
Semaphore
There are approximately 5,952 people named Hussein in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,593rd most common surname in Britain. Around 91 in a million people in Britain are named Hussein.
Region of origin: Middle East
Country of origin: Turkey
Religion of origin: Muslim
Famous people named Hussein
- Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein - Second president of Egypt (1918 to 1970)
- Haya bint Hussein - One of King Hussein I of Jordan's daughters
- Waris Hussein - Indian-British television and film director
- Syed Adney Syed Hussein - Malaysian football player
- Mo Hussein - Boxer
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.