Where does the name Ismail come from?

Ismail is a boy name of Arabic origin. Cross-Abrahamic bridge name.

Is Ismail a boy or a girl name?

Ismail is overwhelmingly a boy name in the United States. Of the 3,655 U.S. babies recorded with this name, more than 99% are boys.

How popular is the name Ismail in 2023?

Ismail ranks #1398 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 2016 with 171 babies.

How do you pronounce Ismail?

Ismail is pronounced is-mah-EEL (3 syllables).

What are common spellings of Ismail?

Ismail is also written as Ismael, Ishmael, Ismaël.

A name from Arabic · Boy · Prophet

Ismail

إِسْمَاعِيل

"God has heard." Arabic form of Ishmael — son of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Hajar, ancestor of the Arab peoples, and the son whom Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice in the Islamic tradition (Qur'an 37:99–111).

Compare

Popularity over time

A 61-year arc in numbers.

3,655 U.S. births recorded from 1962–2023.

Popularity · 1962–2023

132 births in 2023

1962 1992 2023

Babies named per year Peak year Most recent

Meaning

A name that means something.

I"God has heard." Arabic form of Ishmael — son of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Hajar, ancestor of the Arab peoples, and the son whom Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice in the Islamic tradition (Qur'an 37:99–111).

Etymology, in one line

Arabic root: From Hebrew Yishma'el — "God hears"

Regional variants

Cross-Abrahamic bridge name. In Islam, Ismail is the son of the sacrifice (not Isaac as in Jewish/Christian tradition) — the theological heart of the Eid al-Adha festival.

Islamic depth

Prophet in the Qur'an.

Classical commentary, verse references, and what the name means in tradition.

Ismāʿīl إِسْمَاعِيل

Ismail is the firstborn son of Ibrahim and Hajar, and the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He is remembered for his patience and obedience during the sacrifice, and for building the Ka‘bah with his father.

From the Qur'an

""[Ismail] said, ‘O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.’""

— Qur'an, As-Saffat 37:102

""And mention in the Book, Ismail. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.""

— Qur'an, Maryam 19:54

The annual festival of Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice Ismail in obedience to God.

Variants & spellings

3 ways to spell "Ismail".

Each transliteration carries a slightly different cultural fingerprint.

Ismael Most common Ishmael Ismaël

Name family

Ishmael / Ismail

Eldest son of Abraham and Hajar, considered the ancestor of the Arabs. The Qur’an describes him as “true to his promise, a messenger and a prophet.”

Ismail إِسْمَاعِيل

Arabic

Ishmael יִשְׁמָעֵאל

Hebrew / English

Related guides

People who carry the name Ismail.

I
Ismail ibn Ibrahim (Qur'anic prophet)
I
Ismaël Bennacer (footballer)

Quick answers

People often ask about Ismail.

What does the name Ismail mean?: Ismail means "God has heard." Arabic form of Ishmael — son of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Hajar, ancestor of the Arab peoples, and the son whom Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice in the Islamic tradition (Qur'an 37:99–111).
Where does the name Ismail come from?: Ismail is a boy name of Arabic origin. Cross-Abrahamic bridge name.
Is Ismail a boy or a girl name?: Ismail is overwhelmingly a boy name in the United States. Of the 3,655 U.S. babies recorded with this name, more than 99% are boys.
How popular is the name Ismail in 2023?: Ismail ranks #1398 for boys in the U.S. Social Security Administration's 2023 dataset. Its all-time U.S. peak was 2016 with 171 babies.
How do you pronounce Ismail?: Ismail is pronounced is-mah-EEL (3 syllables).
Is Ismail mentioned in the Qur'an?: Ismail is the firstborn son of Ibrahim and Hajar, and the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
What are common spellings of Ismail?: Ismail is also written as Ismael, Ishmael, Ismaël.

Similar names

If you love Ismail, also consider…

Night; dark-haired beauty

Aaliyah عَالِيَة

#12243

Girl ·Arabic

"Exalted, high, sublime

Omar عُمَر

#263

Boy ·Arabic

"Long-lived, flourishing life

Lila

#213

Girl ·Arabic

A variant of Layla, from Arabic ليلى, "night

"King, sovereign, owner

Nadia نَادِيَة

#489

Girl ·Arabic

"Announcer, caller; morning dew

About this page

Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meaning and cultural context drawn from classical sources: Lisan al-Arab, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Qur'an and Sunnah. If you spot an error, please let us know.

Ismail

A 61-year arc in numbers.

A name that means something.

Prophet in the Qur'an.

3 ways to spell "Ismail".

Ishmael / Ismail

Read more in the Almanac.

30 Quranic Baby Names for Boys and Girls (With Verses)

People who carry the name Ismail.

People often ask about Ismail.

If you love Ismail, also consider…

About this page