Islam Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: IS-lahm /ˈɪzlɑːm/
Origin: Arabic; Turkish
Meaning: Arabic: submission (to God); Turkish: peace
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Islam is derived from the Arabic root 's-l-m,' which means 'to submit' or 'to surrender.' This root is the basis for the word 'Islam' itself, which signifies submission to the will of God, particularly in the context of the monotheistic faith founded in the 7th century CE by the Prophet Muhammad. The term entered the English language through transliteration from Arabic, reflecting the broader cultural and religious significance of the term as it relates to the Islamic faith and its followers, known as Muslims.
Historically, the name Islam is closely associated with the emergence of the religion in the Arabian Peninsula. The Prophet Muhammad, who lived from approximately 570 to 632 CE, is a central figure in Islamic history, and his teachings were compiled in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, which was revealed to him over a period of 23 years.
The establishment of the Islamic community, or Ummah, and the subsequent expansion of Islam across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond during the 7th and 8th centuries CE marked significant milestones in the history of the name and its associated faith. Culturally, the name Islam carries profound significance, embodying the principles of peace, submission, and faith.
It is often invoked in various contexts, including religious, educational, and cultural discussions. The name is also linked to various historical figures and scholars who have contributed to Islamic thought and civilization throughout the centuries.
Additionally, the name may have diminutive forms or related names in different cultures, but its core meaning remains rooted in the concept of submission to God, which is central to the Islamic tradition.
Famous people named Islam
In this section, you will find notable people named Islam. 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 Islam who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Islam 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.
Islam Makhachev is a mixed martial artist best known for being the UFC Lightweight Champion and winning multiple fights in the UFC.
Islam Karimov was a politician best known for being the first President of Uzbekistan.
Islam El Shehaby is a judoka best known for competing in the Olympics and representing Egypt in international competitions.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Islam, 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 Islam. 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 Islam was first seen in the United States in 1975.
Islam has ranked as high as #5740 nationally, which occurred in 1999, and has been most popular in New York, New Jersey, California, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Islam has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Islam 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 Islam 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 Islam.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 2024 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2021 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2020 | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| 2019 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2017 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2014 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2013 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2012 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 2011 | 21 | 16 | 5 |
| 2010 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2009 | 24 | 18 | 6 |
| 2008 | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| 2007 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2006 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2004 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2003 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| 2002 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| 2001 | 28 | 21 | 7 |
| 2000 | 27 | 19 | 8 |
| 1999 | 36 | 23 | 13 |
| 1998 | 26 | 17 | 9 |
| 1997 | 32 | 23 | 9 |
| 1996 | 22 | 17 | 5 |
| 1995 | 25 | 18 | 7 |
| 1994 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1993 | 27 | 18 | 9 |
| 1992 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1991 | 19 | 11 | 8 |
| 1990 | 29 | 22 | 7 |
| 1989 | 18 | 7 | 11 |
| 1988 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1987 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1986 | 16 | 10 | 6 |
| 1985 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1982 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1981 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1980 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1979 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1976 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1975 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
Top States for Islam (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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 7 | |
| CA | 6 | |
| IL | 6 |