Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ismael
BoySpanish, Hebrew· “God will hear”
- Meaning
- God will hear
- Origin
- Spanish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ees-mah-EHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #263
- US babies 2025
- 1,307
- Best rank
- #234 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ismael
Ismael is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “God will hear”.
Ismael is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el, meaning God will hear. In Genesis, Ishmael is the son of Abraham and Hagar, and in Islamic tradition, where he is called Isma'il, he is honored as a prophet and ancestor of the Arabs. The name therefore carries meaning in Jewish, Christian and Muslim traditions. English readers also know Ishmael as the narrator of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick. Ismael is widely used in Spanish-speaking countries and among Latino families in the United States. It feels traditional and dignified, with Isma as a casual nickname.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ismail.
Popularity over time
Ismael first appears in US Social Security records in 1903. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 95 different years, starting in 1928. Its best national rank was #234 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,535 babies. In 2025, 1,307 babies were named Ismael, and it ranked #263 nationally. That is 69% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,615 in 1920, #598 in 1950, #421 in 1980, #341 in 2000, #362 in 2010, and #263 in 2025. Of the 44,216 US boys named Ismael since records began, 20% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 8,114 babies. Since 2010, 15,290 more have been named Ismael.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Callahan, Kairo, Cohen, Muhammad, and Baker.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ismael ranked highest in New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | #93 | 20 |
| Arizona | #115 | 73 |
| California | #120 | 329 |
| Texas | #145 | 267 |
| Oregon | #161 | 26 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ismael is usually pronounced ees-mah-EHL, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with I and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ismail.
Middle names for Ismael
A few middle names that flow with Ismael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ismael
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Lists that include Ismael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ismael mean?
Ismael is a Spanish and Hebrew name that means “God will hear”.
What is the origin of the name Ismael?
Ismael has Spanish and Hebrew roots. Ismael is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el, meaning God will hear.
Is Ismael a popular name?
Yes. Ismael ranked #263 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Ismael a boy or girl name?
Ismael is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ismael?
Ismael is usually pronounced ees-mah-EHL. 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