Isa

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-suh /ˈiː.sə/High

Meaning: From Arabic Isa, the Quranic form of Jesus (from Aramaic Yeshua meaning God is salvation); also used as a short form of Germanic names beginning with Is- such as Isabel or Isaiah; meaning God is salvationHigh

In 30 seconds: Isa is the Arabic and Quranic form of Jesus (from Aramaic Yeshua meaning God is salvation), one of the most revered prophets in Islam, used as a boys given name across the Muslim world and increasingly in multicultural Western communities.

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Origin HighArabic, Germanic, Hebrew

MeaningFrom Arabic Isa, the Quranic form of Jesus (from Aramaic Yeshua meaning God is salvation); also used as a short form of Germanic names beginning with Is- such as Isabel or Isaiah; meaning God is salvation

U.S. rank (2025)#933 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births253 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,136

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Isa is the Arabic form of Jesus, derived from Aramaic Yeshua (Yahweh saves or God is salvation), the same root as Hebrew Joshua. In Islam, Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus son of Mary) is revered as a major prophet and the Messiah, born of the virgin Maryam, though not considered divine as in Christianity. The Quranic Isa shares significant narrative details with the New Testament Jesus. The name Isa is used across the Muslim world — from Morocco to Indonesia — in honor of this prophet.

Isa is also used in the West as a short form of Isabel (from Hebrew Elisheba), Isaiah (God is salvation), and various other names beginning with Is-. As a standalone given name for boys, Isa is used primarily in Muslim communities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. Its two-syllable brevity and clear meaning make it accessible. The name sits within a broader group of Arabic prophetic names including Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and Sulaiman (Solomon), which parents choose for their direct Quranic significance.

Did you know? In the Quran, Isa (Jesus) is one of the five most important prophets — alongside Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Muhammad — and is described as the Messiah and as born of a virgin (Maryam), making Isa a name that bridges Islamic and Christian theology in a remarkable way.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Isa — Arabic etymology and Quranic context

Variations

JesusYeshuaEesa

Nicknames

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If you like Isa…

Ibrahim— Arabic form of Abraham, another major Quranic prophet with the same Islamic prophetic naming tradition

Musa— Arabic form of Moses, a Quranic prophet in the same naming category as Isa

Yunus— Arabic form of Jonah, a Quranic prophet in the same tradition

Dawud— Arabic form of David, a Quranic prophet sharing Isa's short, meaningful structure

Frequently Asked

What does the name Isa mean?

Isa is the Arabic Quranic form of Jesus, from Aramaic Yeshua meaning God is salvation.

How do you pronounce Isa?

It is said EE-suh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Isa a Muslim name?

Yes, Isa is the Quranic name for Jesus, one of Islam's most revered prophets, and is used across Muslim communities worldwide.

Is Isa a boy or girl name?

In Arabic and Islamic tradition Isa is a boys name; it can also appear as a girls name in Western contexts as a short form of Isabel or Isabela.