Ismail Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Ismail has its roots in Arabic, meaning 'God will hear'. It evolved through various languages, such as Hebrew and Greek, and is linked to important religious narratives in both the Bible and the Quran. The name is commonly used in Muslim communities and carries significant cultural weight. It is associated with notable figures in literature and politics.
The name Ismail is most popular in Minnesota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ismail has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Ismail' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6360th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3149th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1974th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1588th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1322nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ismail' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ismail"
Pronunciation
/ɪsˈmaɪl/
Origin
Arabic
Etymology
Ismail is derived from the Arabic name إسماعيل (Ismāʿīl), which means 'God will hear'. It is often associated with the Biblical figure Ishmael.
Meaning
God will hear
Language Evolution
Hebrew: ישמעאל (Yishma'el), Greek: Ἰσμαήλ (Ismaēl), Latin: Ismaël, Arabic: إسماعيل (Ismāʿīl)
Biblical Background
Ismail is a significant figure in both the Bible and the Quran. In the Bible, he is the son of Abraham and Hagar, while in Islamic tradition, he is considered a prophet.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly in Muslim communities, and has remained a common name in various cultures.
Variants & Derivatives
Ishmael, Ismaël, Isma'il, Ismaili
Modern Popularity & Image
Ismail is widely used in Arabic-speaking countries and among Muslim populations around the world. It is often associated with strong cultural and religious significance.
Famous People
Ismail Kadare, an Albanian novelist, Ismail Haniyeh, a Palestinian political leader
Explore More Ismail Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ismail"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Ismail"
"Ismail" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6360th of 7552 | 12 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3149th of 10718 | 168 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1974th of 16616 | 563 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1588th of 24088 | 1,387 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1322nd of 23106 | 1,688 |
Regional Popularity of "Ismail" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
46.83% 1631st/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
59.89% 2207th/3685 |
25.90% 1159th/4475 |
59.30% 3080th/5194 |
36.17% 2285th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
27.48% 1259th/4582 |
20.70% 1069th/5164 |
28.22% 2064th/7313 |
21.55% 1608th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
24.92% 993rd/3984 |
19.72% 885th/4487 |
23.15% 1579th/6822 |
23.65% 1484th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Ismail" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Ismail"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Ismail" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.