Isham Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EESH-um //ˈiːʃəm//
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: English: 'dweller by the ash tree'; Hebrew: 'God will hear'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Isham has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "isc," meaning "ice," and "ham," meaning "homestead" or "enclosure." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "homestead by the ice" or "dwelling near the river ice." The name was likely used as a locational surname, identifying individuals from specific places characterized by icy conditions or proximity to water bodies that froze in winter. Over time, the name transitioned into a given name, particularly in English-speaking regions, as surnames began to be adopted as first names during the Middle Ages.
Historically, the name Isham can be traced back to various records in England, with notable mentions in the Domesday Book of 1086, where locations named Isham were documented. The name has also appeared in various forms in historical texts, reflecting the linguistic evolution of English through the centuries.
By the 19th century, Isham was recognized as a given name, often associated with families who had ancestral ties to the places named Isham, particularly in Northamptonshire, England. Culturally, the name Isham carries connotations of strength and resilience, evoking imagery of enduring landscapes shaped by natural elements.
Its association with homesteads suggests stability and rootedness, values that have historically resonated within English culture. The name has also been linked to various notable figures, including Isham Jones, a prominent American bandleader and composer in the early 20th century, further embedding the name within cultural narratives.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Isham remains a distinctive name with a rich historical and linguistic heritage.
Famous people named Isham
In this section, you will find notable people named Isham. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Isham who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Isham who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Isham Jones was a bandleader and composer best known for his work in the early jazz era and songs like It Had to Be You and On the Alamo.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Isham, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Isham. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Isham was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Isham has ranked as high as #2897 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in North Carolina, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Isham has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Isham is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Isham was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Isham.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2007 | 5 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 |
| 1990 | 6 | 6 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 |
| 1981 | 6 | 6 |
| 1979 | 5 | 5 |
| 1976 | 8 | 8 |
| 1973 | 6 | 6 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 |
| 1969 | 8 | 8 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 | 5 |
| 1956 | 5 | 5 |
| 1954 | 10 | 10 |
| 1953 | 5 | 5 |
| 1952 | 6 | 6 |
| 1951 | 5 | 5 |
| 1948 | 11 | 11 |
| 1947 | 7 | 7 |
| 1946 | 6 | 6 |
| 1944 | 7 | 7 |
| 1942 | 6 | 6 |
| 1941 | 5 | 5 |
| 1940 | 5 | 5 |
| 1939 | 7 | 7 |
| 1935 | 7 | 7 |
| 1934 | 7 | 7 |
| 1933 | 9 | 9 |
| 1932 | 8 | 8 |
| 1931 | 8 | 8 |
| 1930 | 10 | 10 |
| 1929 | 11 | 11 |
| 1928 | 5 | 5 |
| 1927 | 10 | 10 |
| 1926 | 17 | 17 |
| 1925 | 20 | 20 |
| 1924 | 15 | 15 |
| 1923 | 16 | 16 |
| 1922 | 27 | 27 |
| 1921 | 16 | 16 |
| 1920 | 14 | 14 |
| 1919 | 14 | 14 |
| 1918 | 19 | 19 |
| 1917 | 11 | 11 |
| 1916 | 16 | 16 |
| 1915 | 6 | 6 |
| 1914 | 11 | 11 |
| 1913 | 15 | 15 |
| 1912 | 8 | 8 |
| 1908 | 7 | 7 |
| 1907 | 8 | 8 |
| 1906 | 9 | 9 |
| 1896 | 6 | 6 |
| 1895 | 10 | 10 |
| 1894 | 7 | 7 |
| 1893 | 8 | 8 |
| 1892 | 5 | 5 |
| 1891 | 6 | 6 |
| 1890 | 11 | 11 |
| 1889 | 8 | 8 |
| 1888 | 7 | 7 |
| 1886 | 9 | 9 |
| 1884 | 6 | 6 |
| 1883 | 9 | 9 |
| 1882 | 6 | 6 |
| 1881 | 7 | 7 |
| 1880 | 13 | 13 |
Top States for Isham (1922)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NC | 6 |