Fun Facts About the Name Hussein
- More than 3 thousand babies named Hussein: U.S. records list 3,403 babies given the name Hussein from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Hussein Mean?
Hussein is an Arabic masculine name. It is a diminutive form of the name Ḥasan (Arabic حسن), which comes from the root ḥ-s-n (ح س ن) meaning goodness, beauty, or excellence. The literal sense of Ḥusayn (Arabic حسين) is little Ḥasan or little good/handsome one, and it is commonly translated as handsome or good. The Arabic diminutive pattern fuʿayl often adds an affectionate or endearing force rather than strictly indicating small size. Hussein is therefore related to Hasan but is a distinct name, not merely an alternate spelling.
Hussein Name History & Origins
The name Ḥusayn is closely tied to Husayn ibn Ali (c. 626 - 680), the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Husayn was killed with many of his family members at the Battle of Karbala in 680 by forces of the Umayyad caliph Yazid I. This event is central to Shi'a Islam, commemorated annually during Muharram, and the name Hussein is especially associated with Shia Muslims as a name of honor. It is also used by Sunni Muslims and in many other Muslim communities.
As Arabic-speaking peoples carried the name into different regions, it took local forms: Hossein in Persian, Hüseyin in Turkish, Hussain or Husain in Urdu and South Asian languages, and Hussein, Husayn, or Husain in English transliteration. In modern history, the name appears in figures such as Sharif Hussein ibn Ali of Mecca (1854 - 1931), who led the Arab Revolt during World War I, and King Hussein of Jordan (1935 - 1999). The spelling Hussein is a common English-language form of the Arabic name.
How Popular is the Name Hussein?
Hussein has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2015. Its best rank was #1,311 in 2015.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,894 | 83 | 0.0049% |
| 2024 | #1,654 | 102 | 0.0059% |
| 2023 | #1,610 | 108 | 0.0063% |
| 2022 | #1,724 | 98 | 0.0056% |
| 2021 | #1,670 | 99 | 0.0057% |
| 2020 | #1,639 | 98 | 0.0057% |
| 2019 | #1,829 | 83 | 0.0046% |
| 2018 | #1,751 | 88 | 0.0048% |
| 2017 | #1,390 | 127 | 0.0069% |
| 2016 | #1,419 | 123 | 0.0065% |
| 2015 | #1,311 | 135 | 0.0070% |
| 2014 | #1,433 | 116 | 0.0060% |
| 2013 | #1,437 | 115 | 0.0061% |
| 2012 | #1,621 | 96 | 0.0051% |
| 2011 | #1,613 | 95 | 0.0050% |
| 2010 | #1,692 | 91 | 0.0047% |
| 2009 | #1,502 | 111 | 0.0056% |
| 2008 | #1,807 | 82 | 0.0040% |
| 2007 | #1,674 | 91 | 0.0044% |
| 2006 | #1,748 | 80 | 0.0039% |
| 2005 | #1,623 | 84 | 0.0042% |
| 2004 | #1,638 | 79 | 0.0040% |
| 2003 | #1,553 | 82 | 0.0042% |
| 2002 | #1,372 | 96 | 0.0049% |
| 2001 | #1,620 | 73 | 0.0038% |
| 2000 | #1,422 | 87 | 0.0044% |
| 1999 | #1,562 | 71 | 0.0037% |
| 1998 | #1,563 | 68 | 0.0036% |
| 1997 | #1,633 | 62 | 0.0033% |
| 1996 | #1,750 | 53 | 0.0028% |
| 1995 | #1,518 | 63 | 0.0033% |
| 1994 | #1,872 | 45 | 0.0023% |
| 1993 | #1,804 | 47 | 0.0024% |
| 1992 | #1,752 | 48 | 0.0024% |
| 1991 | #1,904 | 41 | 0.0020% |
| 1990 | #1,575 | 53 | 0.0026% |
| 1989 | #1,872 | 40 | 0.0020% |
| 1988 | #1,925 | 34 | 0.0018% |
| 1987 | #2,145 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 1986 | #2,028 | 29 | 0.0016% |
| 1985 | #1,986 | 29 | 0.0016% |
| 1984 | #2,471 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 1983 | #2,236 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 1982 | #3,023 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1981 | #2,528 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1980 | #2,574 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1979 | #3,069 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1978 | #2,977 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 1977 | #3,095 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1976 | #3,581 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1974 | #3,676 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1970 | #3,643 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1967 | #3,723 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Hussein Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You attract success and money. You are a lover of nature and do not need others for your happiness. You are self sufficient. You strive for material success and power and have business sense. You possess strong organizational abilities, can be a good manager, and executive by nature. You are capable of great achievement in business and finance. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Hussein's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Hussein's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.