Ishmael Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationISH-may-el / ˈɪʃmeɪəlHebrew; Arabic
Meaning
Hebrew: God will hear; Arabic: God hears
Historical & Cultural Background
Ishmael is a significant figure in both the Hebrew Bible and the Quran. In the Bible, he is the son of Abraham and Hagar, often associated with the origins of the Ishmaelite people. The name has been used in various cultures and languages, reflecting its religious significance. It has remained a recognizable name throughout history, often symbolizing themes of faith and divine promise.
Trend Summary
Ishmael has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable presence in religious and literary contexts.
Similar Names
Variants
- Ismael
- Ishmaël
International Variants
- Ismaël (French)
- Ismael (Spanish)
- Ishmael (English)
Famous people named Ishmael
Ishmael Reed is an American author known for his contributions to literature and social commentary.
Ishmael Beah is a Sierra Leonean author and human rights activist, recognized for his memoir about child soldiers.
Ishmael H. H. K. is a notable figure in the field of anthropology, focusing on cultural studies.
Ishmael Smith is a professional athlete known for his achievements in basketball.
Fictional characters named Ishmael
Ishmael is the narrator of Herman Melville's novel 'Moby-Dick', providing insight into the whaling voyage.
Ishmael is a character in the Quran, recognized as a prophet and the son of Abraham.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ishmael was first seen in the United States in 1880. Ishmael has ranked as high as #1228 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Ishmael has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Ishmael (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 14 | |
| TX | 12 | |
| FL | 11 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| PA | 6 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| GA | 5 | |
| IL | 5 | |
| NC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 6 |
| 1892 | 5 |
| 1893 | 7 |
| 1896 | 5 |
| 1901 | 6 |
| 1904 | 6 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1910 | 9 |
| 1911 | 8 |
| 1912 | 31 |
| 1913 | 23 |
| 1914 | 36 |
| 1915 | 38 |
| 1916 | 49 |
| 1917 | 43 |
| 1918 | 28 |
| 1919 | 31 |
| 1920 | 37 |
| 1921 | 36 |
| 1922 | 38 |
| 1923 | 35 |
| 1924 | 25 |
| 1925 | 28 |
| 1926 | 46 |
| 1927 | 29 |
| 1928 | 27 |
| 1929 | 20 |
| 1930 | 26 |
| 1931 | 20 |
| 1932 | 25 |
| 1933 | 24 |
| 1934 | 26 |
| 1935 | 22 |
| 1936 | 23 |
| 1937 | 22 |
| 1938 | 18 |
| 1939 | 17 |
| 1940 | 18 |
| 1941 | 10 |
| 1942 | 20 |
| 1943 | 17 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1945 | 12 |
| 1946 | 15 |
| 1947 | 13 |
| 1948 | 13 |
| 1949 | 20 |
| 1950 | 22 |
| 1951 | 14 |
| 1952 | 22 |
| 1953 | 14 |
| 1954 | 20 |
| 1955 | 15 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1959 | 17 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1961 | 22 |
| 1962 | 14 |
| 1963 | 14 |
| 1964 | 19 |
| 1965 | 12 |
| 1966 | 13 |
| 1967 | 14 |
| 1968 | 19 |
| 1969 | 19 |
| 1970 | 18 |
| 1971 | 29 |
| 1972 | 23 |
| 1973 | 33 |
| 1974 | 47 |
| 1975 | 42 |
| 1976 | 33 |
| 1977 | 47 |
| 1978 | 43 |
| 1979 | 57 |
| 1980 | 55 |
| 1981 | 60 |
| 1982 | 56 |
| 1983 | 60 |
| 1984 | 59 |
| 1985 | 59 |
| 1986 | 50 |
| 1987 | 44 |
| 1988 | 37 |
| 1989 | 58 |
| 1990 | 86 |
| 1991 | 97 |
| 1992 | 112 |
| 1993 | 117 |
| 1994 | 122 |
| 1995 | 126 |
| 1996 | 141 |
| 1997 | 152 |
| 1998 | 146 |
| 1999 | 134 |
| 2000 | 144 |
| 2001 | 142 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 106 |
| 2004 | 124 |
| 2005 | 124 |
| 2006 | 114 |
| 2007 | 116 |
| 2008 | 100 |
| 2009 | 117 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 133 |
| 2012 | 127 |
| 2013 | 121 |
| 2014 | 141 |
| 2015 | 150 |
| 2016 | 132 |
| 2017 | 158 |
| 2018 | 139 |
| 2019 | 143 |
| 2020 | 144 |
| 2021 | 143 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 120 |
| 2024 | 119 |