Ishmael Boy

Popularity: #817 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ISH-may-el /ˈɪʃmeɪəl/

Origin: Hebrew; Arabic

Meaning: Hebrew: God will hear; Arabic: God hears

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ishmael has its roots in the Hebrew language, deriving from the name Yishma'el, which translates to "God will hear." This etymology reflects a significant theological aspect, as the name is often associated with divine intervention and response to prayer. The name entered the English language through the Latin form Ismahel, which was adopted from the Greek Ismaēl, itself derived from the Hebrew.

The transition into English occurred primarily through biblical texts and translations, notably the King James Bible published in 1611, which helped solidify the name's presence in English-speaking cultures. Ishmael is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis, where he is described as the first son of Abraham and Hagar.

His narrative, which unfolds around the 19th century BCE, illustrates themes of exile and divine promise, as God assures Hagar that Ishmael will become a great nation. This biblical account has led to Ishmael being recognized not only in Jewish tradition but also in Islamic tradition, where he is considered a prophet and an ancestor of Muhammad.

The significance of Ishmael's story has been echoed throughout centuries, influencing various literary and religious texts. Culturally, the name Ishmael has resonated through its associations with themes of struggle, survival, and the quest for identity.

In literature, one of the most notable references is in Herman Melville's novel "Moby-Dick," published in the 19th century, where Ishmael serves as the narrator, symbolizing the search for meaning in a tumultuous world. The name has also been used in various forms across cultures, with diminutive or variant forms appearing in different languages, reflecting its enduring legacy and adaptability.

Overall, Ishmael embodies a rich tapestry of historical, religious, and literary significance that has contributed to its lasting presence in human culture.

Famous people named Ishmael

In this section, you will find notable people named Ishmael. 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 Ishmael who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ishmael 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.

Ishmael Beah is an author best known for A Long Way Gone, Radiance of Tomorrow, and The Long Way Home.

Ishmael Reed is an author and poet best known for Mumbo Jumbo, Flight to Canada, and The Free-Lance Pallbearers.

Fictional characters named Ishmael

The following list of fictional characters named Ishmael is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Ishmael is a fictional character from the novel Moby-Dick. He is the narrator of the story and serves as a lens through which the events of the whaling voyage are explored.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ishmael, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

IsaacJacobEzraSamuelLeviDaniel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ishmael. 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.

IsraelIshamIsidoreIsaiahImmanuelIlanIra

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ishmael was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ishmael has ranked as high as #2577 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)

The name Ishmael 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 Ishmael 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 Ishmael.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 121 121
2024 121 121
2023 120 120
2022 97 97
2021 143 143
2020 144 144
2019 143 143
2018 139 139
2017 158 158
2016 132 132
2015 150 150
2014 141 141
2013 121 121
2012 127 127
2011 133 133
2010 111 111
2009 117 117
2008 100 100
2007 116 116
2006 114 114
2005 124 124
2004 124 124
2003 106 106
2002 118 118
2001 142 142
2000 144 144
1999 134 134
1998 146 146
1997 152 152
1996 141 141
1995 126 126
1994 122 122
1993 117 117
1992 112 112
1991 97 97
1990 86 86
1989 58 58
1988 37 37
1987 44 44
1986 50 50
1985 59 59
1984 59 59
1983 60 60
1982 56 56
1981 60 60
1980 55 55
1979 57 57
1978 43 43
1977 47 47
1976 33 33
1975 42 42
1974 47 47
1973 33 33
1972 23 23
1971 29 29
1970 18 18
1969 19 19
1968 19 19
1967 14 14
1966 13 13
1965 12 12
1964 19 19
1963 14 14
1962 14 14
1961 22 22
1960 9 9
1959 17 17
1958 13 13
1957 15 15
1956 12 12
1955 15 15
1954 20 20
1953 14 14
1952 22 22
1951 14 14
1950 22 22
1949 20 20
1948 13 13
1947 13 13
1946 15 15
1945 12 12
1944 8 8
1943 17 17
1942 20 20
1941 10 10
1940 18 18
1939 17 17
1938 18 18
1937 22 22
1936 23 23
1935 22 22
1934 26 26
1933 24 24
1932 25 25
1931 20 20
1930 26 26
1929 20 20
1928 27 27
1927 29 29
1926 46 46
1925 28 28
1924 25 25
1923 35 35
1922 38 38
1921 36 36
1920 37 37
1919 31 31
1918 28 28
1917 43 43
1916 49 49
1915 38 38
1914 36 36
1913 23 23
1912 31 31
1911 8 8
1910 9 9
1907 5 5
1904 6 6
1901 6 6
1896 5 5
1893 7 7
1892 5 5
1880 6 6

Top States for Ishmael (2024)

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
CA 14
19%
TX 12
17%
FL 11
15%
NY 9
13%
PA 6
8%
IL 5
7%
NC 5
7%
VA 5
7%
GA 5
7%