The nameIsmael
Ismael is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning "God hears". The son of Abraham and Hagar, it is common in the Hispanic and Muslim worlds.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Ismael comes from the Hebrew Yishma'el, "God hears".
Origin
Hebrew. In Genesis, Ishmael is the elder son of Abraham. In Islam, Ismail is a prophet and ancestor of the Arabs.
History
Herman Melville's Moby-Dick opens with the line "Call me Ishmael". Ismael is common in Spain and Latin America and reached the American top 240.
Ismael in other languages
Ismaël is the French form of Ishmael. It is Ismaele in Italian, Ismael in Spanish and Portuguese, Yishmael in Hebrew and Ismail in Arabic and Turkish.
Famous people named Ismael
- Ishmael, son of Abraham
- Ismaël Lô, singer
- Ishmael, narrator of Moby-Dick
Popularity of the name Ismael
Ismael in the United States
Ismael was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 8,932 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Ismael. Its rise began around 1953, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ismael in the United States were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,173 births a year on average, against 834 in the five years before.
Ismael in the United Kingdom
Ismael was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 460 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Ismael. Half of all babies named Ismael 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, its popularity has held steady at around 47 births a year.
Ismael in France
Ismael in Belgium
Ismael in Switzerland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Ismael
Names from the same generation as Ismael, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ismael? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ismael with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ismael side by side with the name of your choice.
Ismael in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ismael mean?
Ismael comes from the Hebrew Yishma'el, "God hears".
What is the origin of the name Ismael?
Hebrew. In Genesis, Ishmael is the elder son of Abraham. In Islam, Ismail is a prophet and ancestor of the Arabs.
Is Ismael a girl's or a boy's name?
Ismael is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Ismael?
In 2024, Ismael was the 234th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,532 births.
What are the variants of the name Ismael?
Variants and related names of Ismael include Ismail.
What are good sibling names for Ismael?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Miriam, Talia, Noemi and Jane for a sister, Rafael, Simon, Abraham and Emmanuel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ismael?
Ishmael, son of Abraham; Ismaël Lô, singer; Ishmael, narrator of Moby-Dick.