The nameIsaac
Isaac is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will laugh". The name of the son of Abraham, it has gone from Puritan favourite to modern classic.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Isaac comes from the Hebrew Yitzhaq, "he will laugh". In Genesis, Sarah laughs when she learns she will have a son in her old age.
Origin
Hebrew. Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah and the father of Jacob and Esau.
History
Isaac Newton made the name famous in science. Long associated with the Puritans, it became popular again from the 1990s in Britain and the United States.
Isaac in other languages
Isaac is spelled the same in English, French and Spanish. It is Isacco in Italian, Isaque in Portuguese, Izaak in Polish, Yitzhak in Hebrew and Ishaq in Arabic.
Nicknames for Isaac
The most common nicknames for Isaac: Ike and Zac.
Did you know?
- Isaac Newton himself told the story of a falling apple setting him thinking about gravity.
- Isaac Asimov stated the Three Laws of Robotics in his science fiction.
Famous people named Isaac
- Isaac, patriarch of the Bible
- Isaac Newton, scientist
- Isaac Asimov, writer
- Isaac Hayes, musician
Popularity of the name Isaac
Isaac in the United States
Isaac was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 94,650 births over the decade, 29% of all recorded babies named Isaac. Its rise began around 1976, and it peaked in 2007. Half of all babies named Isaac in the United States were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 6,800 births a year on average, against 9,088 in the five years before.
Isaac in the United Kingdom
Isaac was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 26,902 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Isaac. Half of all babies named Isaac in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,730 births a year on average, against 2,603 in the five years before.
Isaac in Ireland
Isaac in France
Isaac in Belgium
Isaac in Switzerland
Isaac in Norway
Sibling names for Isaac
Names from the same generation as Isaac, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Isaac? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Isaac with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Isaac side by side with the name of your choice.
Isaac in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isaac mean?
Isaac comes from the Hebrew Yitzhaq, "he will laugh". In Genesis, Sarah laughs when she learns she will have a son in her old age.
What is the origin of the name Isaac?
Hebrew. Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah and the father of Jacob and Esau.
Is Isaac a girl's or a boy's name?
Isaac is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Isaac?
In 2024, Isaac was the 40th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 6,498 births.
What are good sibling names for Isaac?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Leah, Abigail, Madelyn and Elizabeth for a sister, Gabriel, Benjamin, Jeremiah and Caleb for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Isaac?
The most common nicknames for Isaac are Ike and Zac.
Who are famous people named Isaac?
Isaac, patriarch of the Bible; Isaac Newton, scientist; Isaac Asimov, writer; Isaac Hayes, musician.