Hussein

Hussein is a spelling of Husayn, an Arabic diminutive related to Hasan. The underlying word family concerns goodness and beauty, so the name is often translated as little handsome one. The diminutive structure is part of the name’s history and does not imply that it is only appropriate for a young child.

Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, gives the name profound significance in Islamic history, especially in Shia tradition. The spelling Hussein is also widely recognized internationally, including as Barack Obama’s middle name. Husayn and Hussain are other familiar transliterations. A family may choose among them according to language or inherited spelling while preserving the same underlying Arabic name.