William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Isaiah
BoyHebrew· “Yahweh is salvation”
- Meaning
- Yahweh is salvation
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- eye-ZAY-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #57
- US babies 2025
- 5,267
- Best rank
- #39 (2006)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Isaiah
Isaiah is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh is salvation”.
Isaiah comes from the Hebrew Yeshayahu, "Yahweh is salvation". Isaiah is one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible, active in Jerusalem in the eighth century BC, and the book bearing his name is among the most quoted in Jewish and Christian tradition, including its famous passages about swords beaten into plowshares. Puritans and later American Protestants used the name. Sir Isaiah Berlin, the philosopher and historian of ideas, is a notable modern bearer. Isaiah gained renewed popularity in the United States in recent decades. It sounds strong yet gentle, and Isaias and Izaiah are related spellings.
Popularity over time
Isaiah 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 144 different years. Its best national rank was #39 in 2006, the same year it reached its highest count of 10,459 babies. In 2025, 5,267 babies were named Isaiah, and it ranked #57 nationally. That is 31% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #561 in 1920, #578 in 1950, #438 in 1980, #47 in 2000, #43 in 2010, and #57 in 2025. Of the 254,020 US boys named Isaiah since records began, 37% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 76,320 babies. Since 2010, 109,283 more have been named Isaiah.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Evan, Isaac, Angel, Gavin, and Diego.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Isaiah ranked highest in Hawaii, California, and Nevada.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #26 | 23 |
| California | #30 | 847 |
| Nevada | #33 | 63 |
| Louisiana | #36 | 84 |
| Mississippi | #39 | 50 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Isaiah is usually pronounced eye-ZAY-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with I and ends in “-ah”.
Middle names for Isaiah
A few middle names that flow with Isaiah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Isaiah
Similar names
Elijah Boy
ih-LY-juh
“my God is Yahweh” · Hebrew
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Josiah Boy
joh-SY-uh
“Yahweh supports” · Hebrew
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Alijah Boy
uh-LY-juh
“variant of Elijah” · American (modern coinage)
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Azariah Unisex
a-zuh-RY-uh
“Yahweh has helped” · Hebrew
#630
Hezekiah Boy
hez-uh-KY-uh
“God strengthens” · Hebrew
#485
Zechariah Boy
zeh-kuh-RY-uh
“God remembers” · Hebrew
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Jedidiah Boy
jeh-duh-DY-uh
“beloved of the Lord” · Hebrew
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Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Jeremiah Boy
jeh-ruh-MY-uh
“Yahweh will exalt” · Hebrew
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Micah Boy
MY-kuh
“who is like Yahweh” · Hebrew
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Benjamin Boy
BEHN-juh-muhn
“son of the right hand” · Hebrew
#11
Joshua Boy
JAH-shoo-uh
“Yahweh is salvation” · Hebrew
#66
Lists that include Isaiah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Isaiah mean?
Isaiah is a Hebrew name that means “Yahweh is salvation”.
What is the origin of the name Isaiah?
Isaiah has Hebrew roots. Isaiah comes from the Hebrew Yeshayahu, "Yahweh is salvation".
Is Isaiah a popular name?
Yes. Isaiah ranked #57 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Isaiah a boy or girl name?
Isaiah is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Isaiah?
Isaiah is usually pronounced eye-ZAY-uh. 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