Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ishmael
BoyHebrew· “God will hear”
- Meaning
- God will hear
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ISH-may-el
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,469
- US babies 2025
- 121
- Best rank
- #789 (1912)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Ishmael
Ishmael is a Hebrew name that means “God will hear”.
Ishmael comes from the Hebrew Yishmael, meaning "God will hear." In Genesis, Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar, and in Islamic tradition he is honored as Ismail, a prophet and ancestor of the Arabs. The name gained lasting literary fame through the opening line of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick, "Call me Ishmael," spoken by the novel's narrator. Ishmael has a serious, dignified character with deep roots in several faiths. Ish is a possible nickname, though many families use the full name.
Popularity over time
Ishmael 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 11 different years. Its best national rank was #789 in 1912, and the most babies received it in 2017, when 158 were named Ishmael. In 2025, 121 babies were named Ishmael, and it ranked #1,469 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,194 in 1920, #1,587 in 1950, #1,246 in 1980, #1,017 in 2000, #1,475 in 2010, and #1,469 in 2025. Of the 6,794 US boys named Ishmael since records began, 20% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 1,233 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Oskar, Abdulrahman, Smith, Kyrin, and Atreyu.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ishmael ranked highest in Florida, New York, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #859 | 17 |
| New York | #1013 | 12 |
| Texas | #1148 | 19 |
| Virginia | #1153 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #1316 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ishmael is usually pronounced ISH-may-el, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with I and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Ishmael
A few middle names that flow with Ishmael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ishmael
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Lists that include Ishmael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ishmael mean?
Ishmael is a Hebrew name that means “God will hear”.
What is the origin of the name Ishmael?
Ishmael has Hebrew roots. Ishmael comes from the Hebrew Yishmael, meaning "God will hear." In Genesis, Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar, and in Islamic tradition he is honored as Ismail, a prophet and ancestor of the Arabs.
Is Ishmael a popular name?
Not especially. Ishmael ranked #1,469 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ishmael a boy or girl name?
Ishmael is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ishmael?
Ishmael is usually pronounced ISH-may-el. 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