Meaning
Youcef is the classic Algerian spelling of Arabic Yūsuf. French spelling rules make a c before e sound like s, so Youcef sounds exactly like Yousef while looking unmistakably Algerian.
Why the C?
Under French administration, Algerian civil registers wrote Arabic names using French spelling habits. The result is a set of spellings you will rarely see elsewhere: Youcef, Mohand, Abdelkader, Lakhdar. Seeing "Youcef" on a jersey is close to a guarantee of Algerian roots.
On the pitch
Youcef Atal and Youcef Belaïli were both part of the Algeria squad that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the country's second continental title.
In the United States
Youcef is rare in U.S. records, appearing for the first time in 2002 and peaking in 2012 with 10 births.
Fun factYoucef is the only spelling on this list that can win at Scrabble with a C.