Ismail
Ismail is a boy's name of Arabic origin.
Meaning
God hears or God will hear.
Origin and history
Ismail is a traditional masculine name of Arabic origin, cognate with the Hebrew name Ishmael. In Islamic tradition, Ismail is regarded as a prophet and an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad. In the United States, its usage has grown steadily within Muslim communities and families seeking a classic Semitic name.
Popularity in the United States
4,022 babies in the United States have been named Ismail since 1880. It ranks #1990 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1148.
States where it is most popular
- NY (24.4 %)
- CA (16 %)
- TX (9.3 %)
- MN (8 %)
- IL (7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 12 |
| 1970-1980 | 138 |
| 1980-1990 | 247 |
| 1990-2000 | 544 |
| 2000-2010 | 860 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,349 |
| 2020-2029 | 872 |
Famous people named Ismail
- Ismail Merchant: Film Producer, Director
- Ismail Kadare: Novelist, Poet
Fun facts
- Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael, a major figure shared across Abrahamic traditions.
- The name has seen an increase in usage in recent years, with over 800 births recorded in the U.S. between 2020 and 2025.