Ishmael
Ishmael: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɪʃ.meɪ.əl/ · /ˈɪʃ.meɪl/
Meaning and origin of Ishmael
- A male given name from Hebrew.
Etymology
From Hebrew יִשְׁמָעֵאל (yishma'él (yišmāʿēl), “God hears, God will hear”). Doublet of Ismail.
How popular is Ishmael?
Since 1880, 6,794 boys in the U.S. have been named Ishmael. Its highest rank for boys was #789 in 1912. In 2025, 121 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Ishmael
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Ishmael
Sister and brother names that share Ishmael's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ishmael FAQ
What does the name Ishmael mean?
A male given name from Hebrew. From Hebrew יִשְׁמָעֵאל (yishma'él (yišmāʿēl), “God hears, God will hear”). Doublet of Ismail.
What is the origin of the name Ishmael?
Ishmael is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Ishmael?
Since 1880, 6,794 boys in the U.S. have been named Ishmael. Its highest rank for boys was #789 in 1912. In 2025, 121 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Ishmael a boy or girl name?
Ishmael is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 0 girls and 6,794 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.