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Isaac

♂ Boy

Pronounced EYE-zik /ˈaɪzək/High

Meaning: He will laugh; he will rejoiceHigh

In 30 seconds: A classic Hebrew Biblical name meaning 'he will laugh.' Son of Abraham in Genesis, Isaac has been a staple of English boys' naming since the Puritan era.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningHe will laugh; he will rejoice
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 274,356

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200718802017

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

History & Origin

Isaac comes from the Hebrew Yitzhak, derived from the root tzachak, to laugh. In Genesis, Isaac is the son miraculously born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age; his name memorializes their astonished laughter at the news. He became a patriarch of the Israelites and a key figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Isaac was adopted by English Puritans in the 17th century as part of a broader embrace of Old Testament names. It remained steadily popular across the 18th and 19th centuries, bolstered by prominent bearers such as Isaac Newton. Today Isaac is firmly in the U.S. top 25 boys' names, valued for its solid Biblical pedigree and handsome sound.

Did you know? The name's meaning refers to the laughter of Abraham and Sarah when told — at very old age — that they would have a son. The story is recorded in Genesis 17–18.

Variations

IsaakYsaacItzhakYitzhak

Nicknames

IkeZac

Famous Bearers

  • ★Isaac Newton (1643–1727)
    English mathematician and physicist who formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
  • ★Isaac Asimov (1920–1992)
    American science fiction author and biochemistry professor.

If you like Isaac…

Elijah— strong Old Testament Hebrew name with the same Biblical gravitas
Ezra— short, punchy Hebrew name enjoying the same modern-classic revival
Jacob— fellow patriarchal Hebrew name that has topped U.S. charts
Caleb— another Hebrew Old Testament name with a warm, strong feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Isaac mean?

Isaac is a Hebrew name meaning 'he will laugh' or 'he will rejoice,' recalling the laughter of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis.

How do you pronounce Isaac?

It's said EYE-zik /ˈaɪzək/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Isaac a boy or girl name?

Isaac is used almost exclusively as a boys' name.

How popular is Isaac?

Isaac consistently ranks in the U.S. top 25 boys' names, a durable Biblical classic.