Isaac
Isaac: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈaɪzək/ · /ˈaɪzæk/
Meaning and origin of Isaac
- A male given name from Hebrew.
Etymology
From Middle English Ysaac, from Latin Isaac, from Ancient Greek Ἰσαάκ (Isaák), from Hebrew יצחק (Yiṣḥāq, literally “he laughs, he will laugh”). Explained in Genesis as referring to his mother Sarah’s laughing when she was told she would have a son at her old age. The verb is masculine, however, perhaps due to its use as a boy’s name.
How popular is Isaac?
Since 1880, 784 girls and 331,508 boys in the U.S. have been named Isaac (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3314 in 1946. Its highest rank for boys was #28 in 2013. In 2025 it ranked #47 for boys, with 5,963 babies given the name.
Names similar to Isaac
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Isaac
Sister and brother names that share Isaac's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Isaac FAQ
What does the name Isaac mean?
A male given name from Hebrew. From Middle English Ysaac, from Latin Isaac, from Ancient Greek Ἰσαάκ (Isaák), from Hebrew יצחק (Yiṣḥāq, literally “he laughs, he will laugh”). Explained in Genesis as referring to his mother Sarah’s laughing when she was told she would have a son at her old age. The verb is masculine, however, perhaps due to its use as a boy’s name.
What is the origin of the name Isaac?
Isaac is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Isaac?
Since 1880, 784 girls and 331,508 boys in the U.S. have been named Isaac (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3314 in 1946. Its highest rank for boys was #28 in 2013. In 2025 it ranked #47 for boys, with 5,963 babies given the name.
Is Isaac a boy or girl name?
Isaac is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 784 girls and 331,508 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.