Hussein, Hossein, Husayn, or Husain, coming from the triconsonantal root Ḥ-S-N, is an Arabic name which is the diminutive of Hassan, meaning "good", "handsome" or "beautiful". It is commonly given as a male given name, particularly among Shias. In Persian language contexts, the transliterations Ḥosayn, Hosayn, or Hossein are sometimes used. In the transliteration of Indo-Aryan languages, the forms "Hussain" or "Hossain" may be used. Other variants include Husein, Husejin, Husejn, Husain, Hussin, Hussain, Husayin, Hussayin, Hüseyin, Husseyin, Huseyn, Hossain, Hosein, Husseyn (etc.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam, which is following a standardized way for transliterating Arabic names, used the form "Ḥusain" in its first edition and the form "Ḥusayn" in its second and third editions.
