The nameIsmail
Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael. It is common in British Muslim families.
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Ismail comes from the Hebrew Yishmael, "God hears".
Origin
Hebrew, through Arabic.
History
Ishmael, son of Abraham, is honoured as a prophet in Islam. In England and Wales Ismail reached 219th in 2004.
Did you know?
- The Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare won the first Man Booker International Prize in 2005.
Famous people named Ismail
- Ismail Kadare, novelist
- Ismail Merchant, film producer
Popularity of the name Ismail
Ismail in the United States
Ismail was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 1,349 births over the decade, 35% of all recorded babies named Ismail. Its rise began around 1977, and it peaked in 2016. Half of all babies named Ismail in the United States were born before 2011, 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 134 births a year.
Ismail in the United Kingdom
Ismail was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,983 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Ismail. Half of all babies named Ismail in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, 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 175 births a year.
Ismail in France
Ismail in Belgium
Ismail in Austria
Ismail in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Ismail
Names from the same generation as Ismail, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Ismail? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Ismail with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Ismail side by side with the name of your choice.
Ismail in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ismail mean?
Ismail comes from the Hebrew Yishmael, "God hears".
What is the origin of the name Ismail?
Hebrew, through Arabic.
Is Ismail a girl's or a boy's name?
Ismail is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Ismail?
In 2024, Ismail was the 1227th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 163 births.
What are the variants of the name Ismail?
Variants and related names of Ismail include Ismael.
What are good sibling names for Ismail?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Betty, Hawa, Marielle and Jana for a sister, Mikael, Noam, Shlomo and Zakaria for a brother.
Who are famous people named Ismail?
Ismail Kadare, novelist; Ismail Merchant, film producer.