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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ysmael

Ysmael

♂ Boy

Pronounced eez-mah-EL /iːz.mɑːˈɛl/Medium

Meaning: A Spanish-style spelling of Ismael, from Hebrew Yishmael, 'God hears'. Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar in the Bible; in Islam, Ismail is honored as a prophet and the ancestor of the Arab peoples. The Y- spelling is an older Spanish habit.Medium

In 30 seconds: A name of being heard: Ysmael is Ismael, from Hebrew 'God hears' (said 'eez-mah-EL').
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Origin MediumHebrew, Spanish
MeaningA Spanish-style spelling of Ismael, from Hebrew Yishmael, 'God hears'. Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar in the Bible; in Islam, Ismail is honored as a prophet and the ancestor of the Arab peoples. The Y- spelling is an older Spanish habit.
U.S. rank (2024)#14168 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1930
Total births (all-time)≈ 196

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319182024

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

Ysmael is an older Spanish spelling of Ismael, from Hebrew Yishmael, 'God hears'. In the Bible, Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar, and the name records that God heard Hagar in the wilderness; in Islam, Ismail is revered as a prophet and as an ancestor of the Arab peoples. The Y- form belongs to Spanish orthography, where Y and I once traded places freely (said 'eez-mah-EL').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S., far behind Ismael. Rare, traditional, and Spanish-flavored.

Did you know? Ishmael's name means 'God hears' — given, in Genesis, because God heard Hagar's distress; in Islam, Ismail is honored as a prophet, and the name is loved in both traditions.
Overall data confidence 52%
References — Ysmael — Spanish spelling of Ismael; Hebrew Yishmael, 'God hears'; Islamic prophet Ismail

Variations

IsmaelIsmailIshmael

Nicknames

IsmaMael

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If you like Ysmael…

Ismael— the standard Spanish spelling
Ishmael— the English biblical form
Ibrahim— his father in the Islamic tradition
Isaias— a like Spanish biblical name

Explore names like Ysmael

By themehebrewspanishbiblicaltraditional
By meaningGod / DivineHonor

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ysmael mean?

Ysmael is a Spanish spelling of Ismael, from Hebrew Yishmael, 'God hears'. Ishmael is a biblical figure, and Ismail is honored as a prophet in Islam.

How do you pronounce Ysmael?

It's said eez-mah-EL /iːz.mɑːˈɛl/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Ysmael a boy or girl name?

Ysmael is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Ysmael?

Ysmael is a very rare name for boys in the U.S., far behind Ismael.

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