Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Isaac
BoyHebrew· “he will laugh”
- Meaning
- he will laugh
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EYE-zuhk
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #47
- US babies 2025
- 5,953
- Best rank
- #28 (2013)
- Peak year
- 2007
Meaning and origin of Isaac
Isaac is a Hebrew name that means “he will laugh”.
Isaac comes from the Hebrew Yitzchak, "he will laugh". In Genesis, Sarah laughs when told she will bear a son in old age, and the name recalls that moment. Isaac is the son of Abraham and father of Jacob and Esau, one of the patriarchs of Israel. The name has been used among Jewish families throughout history and became common among English Puritans. Sir Isaac Newton, the physicist and mathematician, is its most famous bearer, and the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov is another. Isaac feels gentle, scholarly and warm. Ike and Zac are nicknames, and Isaak and Izaak are other spellings.
Famous parents who chose Isaac: Tan France and Rob France (2023). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Isaac has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #28 in 2013, and the most babies received it in 2007, when 10,274 were named Isaac. In 2025, 5,953 babies were named Isaac, and it ranked #47 nationally. That is 40% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #191 in 1920, #282 in 1950, #150 in 1980, #53 in 2000, #39 in 2010, and #47 in 2025. Of the 331,508 US boys named Isaac since records began, 29% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 90,761 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Evan, Isaiah, Angel, Gavin, and Diego.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Isaac ranked highest in Maryland, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #17 | 138 |
| District of Columbia | #23 | 23 |
| Massachusetts | #26 | 164 |
| New York | #30 | 400 |
| Nebraska | #35 | 48 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Isaac is usually pronounced EYE-zuhk, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with I and ends in “-ac”.
Middle names for Isaac
A few middle names that flow with Isaac: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Isaac
Similar names
Issac Boy
EYE-zuhk
“he will laugh” · Hebrew
#915
Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jacob Boy
JAY-kuhb
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · Hebrew
#43
Ethan Boy
EE-thuhn
“firm, enduring, strong” · Hebrew
#24
Daniel Boy
DAN-yuhl
“God is my judge” · Hebrew
#22
Matthew Boy
MATH-yoo
“gift of Yahweh” · Hebrew
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Samuel Boy
SAM-yoo-uhl
“God has heard” · Hebrew
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Nathan Boy
NAY-thuhn
“he gave” · Hebrew
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Caleb Boy
KAY-luhb
“dog; often read as wholehearted” · Hebrew
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Levi Boy
LEE-vy
“joined, attached” · Hebrew
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Aaron Boy
EH-ruhn
“uncertain; possibly exalted” · Hebrew
#80
Jose Boy
hoh-ZAY
“he will add” · Spanish
#95
Lists that include Isaac
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isaac mean?
Isaac is a Hebrew name that means “he will laugh”.
What is the origin of the name Isaac?
Isaac has Hebrew roots. Isaac comes from the Hebrew Yitzchak, "he will laugh".
Is Isaac a popular name?
Yes. Isaac ranked #47 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Isaac a boy or girl name?
Isaac is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Isaac?
Isaac is usually pronounced EYE-zuhk. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings