Ismail
إِسْمَاعِيلIsmail is a boy name of Arabic/Hebrew origin.
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Meaning of Ismail
"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).
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.
Popularity of Ismail
3,655 U.S. births recorded from 1962–2023.
Prophet
Ismāʿīl
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.’"
"And mention in the Book, Ismail. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet."
The annual festival of Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice Ismail in obedience to God.
Variants & nicknames
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.”
Related guide
30 Quranic Baby Names for Boys and Girls (With Verses)
30 names drawn from the Qur’an — prophets, named and referenced women, and meaningful Arabic concepts — each with its verse reference and classical meaning.
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Famous people named Ismail
- Ismail ibn Ibrahim (Qur'anic prophet)
- Ismaël Bennacer (footballer)
Similar names
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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.