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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ismail

Ismail

♂ Boy

Pronounced is-mah-EEL /ɪs.mɑːˈiːl/Low

Meaning: God will hear, God listensLow

In 30 seconds: Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael, meaning God will hear or God listens. In Islamic tradition Ismail is the son of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the ancestor of the Arab people, making this one of the most significant names in the entire Muslim world.
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Origin LowHebrew, Arabic
MeaningGod will hear, God listens
U.S. rank (2025)#1065 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births204 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,022

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519622025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael, from Hebrew Yishma El meaning God will hear. Ishmael was the son of Abraham by Hagar in the Bible. In Islamic tradition, Ismail is equally significant as the ancestor of the Arab people and co-builder of the Kaaba.

Ismail is one of the most popular names in the Muslim world. In the United States it is common among families from Arab, Turkish, South Asian, and African Muslim backgrounds.

Did you know? In Islamic tradition, it was Ismail — not Isaac — whom Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice, and both father and son built the Kaaba in Mecca together. This makes Ismail central to the Hajj pilgrimage and to Islamic ritual.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Ismail

Variations

IshmaelIsmaelIsmaeelIsmail

Nicknames

IsmIssyMael

Famous Bearers

  • ★Ishmael (Ismail) (biblical)
    Son of Abraham (Ibrahim) and Hagar; co-builder of the Kaaba and ancestor of the Arabs in Islamic tradition

If you like Ismail…

Ibrahim— Arabic form of Abraham, Ismail's father
Ismael— Spanish form of same name
Ishaq— Arabic form of Isaac, Ismail's half-brother
Yusuf— Arabic form of Joseph, patriarchal name of same tradition

Explore names like Ismail

By themehebrewarabicthree-syllableislamicprophet
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Ismail mean?

Ismail means God will hear from the Hebrew Yishma El, as the Arabic form of Ishmael.

Who was Ismail in Islam?

Ismail was the son of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Hagar. He and Ibrahim built the Kaaba in Mecca, making Ismail central to Islamic pilgrimage.

How do you pronounce Ismail?

Ismail is pronounced is-mah-EEL with three syllables.

What names are similar to Ismail?

Similar names include Ibrahim, Ismael, and Ishaq.

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