Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ismail
BoyArabic, Hebrew· “God will hear”
- Meaning
- God will hear
- Origin
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- is-mah-EEL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,065
- US babies 2025
- 204
- Best rank
- #1,065 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Ismail
Ismail is an Arabic and Hebrew name that means “God will hear”.
Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew meaning "God will hear." In Islamic tradition, Ismail is the son of Ibrahim, known in the Bible as Abraham, and a prophet honored as an ancestor of the Arabs; he is associated with the building of the Kaaba in Mecca alongside his father. The name is widely used across the Muslim world, from Morocco to Indonesia, and in Turkish as Ismail with a dotted capital I. Strong and dignified, the name has deep roots in several faith traditions.
Other spellings with the same sound: Ismael.
Famous parents who chose Ismail: Tan France and Rob France (2021). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Ismail first appears in US Social Security records in 1962. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,065, and its highest count, 204 babies. Use has grown 29% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #1,882 in 1980, #1,690 in 2000, #1,661 in 2010, and #1,065 in 2025. Of the 4,022 US boys named Ismail since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 872 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Aariv, Zeus, Gadiel, Arham, and Tzvi.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ismail ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #475 | 16 |
| New York | #496 | 33 |
| Minnesota | #561 | 9 |
| Maryland | #601 | 8 |
| Virginia | #644 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ismail is usually pronounced is-mah-EEL, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with I and ends in “-il”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Ismael.
Middle names for Ismail
A few middle names that flow with Ismail: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ismail
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Lists that include Ismail
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ismail mean?
Ismail is an Arabic and Hebrew name that means “God will hear”.
What is the origin of the name Ismail?
Ismail has Arabic and Hebrew roots. Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew meaning "God will hear." In Islamic tradition, Ismail is the son of Ibrahim, known in the Bible as Abraham, and a prophet honored as an ancestor of the Arabs; he is associated with the building of the Kaaba in Mecca alongside his father.
Is Ismail a popular name?
Not especially. Ismail ranked #1,065 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ismail a boy or girl name?
Ismail is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ismail?
Ismail is usually pronounced is-mah-EEL. 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