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Ismail as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Ismail

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The baby name Ismail is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced Arabic: /ismaːʕiːl/ (is-MAH-eel); English: /ɪzˈmaɪəl/ (iz-MY-ul); Hebrew (orig.): /jiʃmaˈʔel/ (YISH-ma-el).

Ismail is Arabic in Origin.

Gender: Male
Syllables: 3.0
Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: Arabic: /ismaːʕiːl/ (is-MAH-eel); English: /ɪzˈmaɪəl/ (iz-MY-ul); Hebrew (orig.): /jiʃmaˈʔel/ (YISH-ma-el)

What is the meaning of the name Ismail ?

The baby name Ismail is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced Arabic: /ismaːʕiːl/ (is-MAH-eel); English: /ɪzˈmaɪəl/ (iz-MY-ul); Hebrew (orig.): /jiʃmaˈʔel/ (YISH-ma-el).

Ismail is Arabic in Origin.

Ismail is the Arabic form of the biblical Ishmael, from Hebrew Yishma’el, “God will hear/may God hear,” evoking answered prayer. In Islam, Ismā‘īl (إسماعيل), son of Ibrahim and Hajar, is a prophet linked to Hajj rites and rebuilding the Ka‘ba; in Jewish and Christian sources, Ishmael is Abraham’s firstborn and forebear of the Ishmaelites. The name has been used across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia since late antiquity.

Variants include İsmail (Turkish), Esmail/Esmaeel (Persian), Ismaël (French), Ismael (Spanish and Portuguese), Isma’il/Ismaeel (transliterations), Ismoil (Tajik), Ismayıl (Azerbaijani), and Ismaaciil (Somali); Isma appears as a colloquial short form. Historical bearers include Shah Ismail I of Safavid Iran and Khedive Isma'il Pasha of Egypt, while English readers meet the cognate Ishmael in Moby-Dick’s famous opening. Today Ismail remains widely chosen for its deep Abrahamic heritage and hopeful meaning.

Ismail has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Ismail

Ismail Haniyeh Politician · Born 1963 · United Arab Republic Ismail Haniyeh is a prominent Palestinian politician known for his leadership role in Hamas, the political and militant organization. He served as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority from 2006 to 2007. Haniyeh has been a key figure in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ismail I Royal · Born 1487 · Safavid Iran Ismail I was the founder of the Safavid dynasty in Iran, establishing it as a major political power in the region. He is most famous for unifying Iran under Shia Islam, which had a lasting impact on the country's religious and cultural identity. Born in 1487, he became a central figure in Iranian history through his military conquests and state-building efforts. Ismail Omar Guelleh Politician · Born 1947 · France Ismail Omar Guelleh is a prominent politician known for serving as the President of Djibouti since 1999. He has played a significant role in maintaining stability and fostering economic growth in the region. Under his leadership, Djibouti has strengthened its strategic partnerships with various countries.
Ismail Kemal Politician · Born 1844 · Albania Ismail Kemal was a prominent Albanian politician best known for his role in declaring Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. He served as the first Prime Minister of Albania and played a crucial part in shaping the country's early political landscape. Ismail II Royal · Born 1533 · Safavid Iran Ismail II was a notable ruler of Safavid Iran, known for his brief reign from 1576 to 1577. He is most famous for his efforts to restore Sunni Islam in a predominantly Shia empire, which led to significant political and religious turmoil. His reign was marked by intense power struggles and a swift downfall. Ismail Ibn Sharif Royal · Born 1645 Ismail Ibn Sharif was a Sultan of Morocco who ruled from 1672 to 1727. He is most famous for his long reign and efforts to consolidate power, as well as his ambitious building projects, including the construction of the city of Meknes. His reign marked a period of relative stability and expansion for Morocco.

Ismail – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Germany Boys 2025 #1 — 423
Ireland Boys 2025 #1 — 836
MV 0 #8 43 644
MV Boys 0 #9 465 3,375
BI 0 #12 1 425
DJ 0 #17 1 322
MY Boys 0 #19 10,624 25,439
TR 0 #19 81,880 19,440
DJ Boys 0 #26 11 657
ET Boys 0 #27 1 678
BN 0 #28 5 2,297
SD Boys 0 #29 2,569 10,523
TM Boys 0 #30 7 614
BN Boys 0 #32 137 6,332
MV Girls 0 #32 4 2,021
NA 0 #33 1 2,537
SD 0 #34 84 2,130
MA 0 #35 49,068 20,986
BI Boys 0 #37 8 917
ID 0 #37 3 2,238
GE 0 #40 5 997
AZ 0 #41 3 706
MT 0 #42 2 1,767
QA Boys 0 #44 2,423 18,093
QA 0 #46 55 7,011
AF 0 #47 30 1,883
BG Boys 0 #47 451 3,850
OM Boys 0 #47 4,219 17,948
AE Boys 0 #49 6,621 22,615
AE 0 #52 140 10,220
AF Boys 0 #52 426 3,535
MO 0 #52 1 2,706
NG Boys 0 #52 9,178 16,906
BH 0 #53 1,253 17,937
OM 0 #55 65 6,215
SA Boys 0 #55 19,213 28,008
CM 0 #56 1 2,592
BD Boys 0 #60 2,514 10,045
CY 0 #60 1 1,632
AL 0 #61 15 2,372
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
BG 0 #68 13 1,799
SA 0 #69 311 10,560
KW Boys 0 #70 2,399 18,755
DZ 0 #71 11,890 20,130
AL Boys 0 #74 378 5,122
AO 0 #75 3 2,729
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
BD 0 #80 181 5,992
KW 0 #80 37 5,216
SI 0 #80 1 1,612
RS 0 #83 2 923
AZ Boys 0 #84 50 1,400
CN 0 #85 2 3,857
IQ 0 #85 45 3,533
JO Boys 0 #89 914 7,057
AF Girls 0 #90 5 2,402
KZ 0 #90 5 1,452
GE Boys 0 #91 19 2,055
EG Boys 0 #95 9,973 15,035
NG 0 #98 188 5,926
LY 0 #101 984 12,703
JO 0 #103 35 2,158
ID Boys 0 #104 28 4,130
IQ Boys 0 #104 2,088 13,071
PH 0 #110 1 5,607
BN Girls 0 #112 3 5,459
GR Boys 0 #112 194 6,912
Norway Boys 2025 #119 16 444
KZ Boys 0 #119 255 6,578
CY Boys 0 #120 10 3,473
Switzerland Boys 2024 #121 17 1,769
EE Boys 0 #123 3 2,087
GR 0 #123 12 3,911
MY 0 #134 217 12,352
MU 0 #136 2 3,613
PS Boys 0 #136 875 10,655
RS Boys 0 #138 17 2,277
YE 0 #139 407 8,639
SI Boys 0 #142 69 3,402
TN 0 #147 3,533 13,765
LT Boys 0 #150 2 2,166
Austria Boys 0 #151 505 2,180
EG 0 #152 476 6,387
BW Boys 0 #153 2 4,685
RU Boys 0 #157 700 12,621
Belgium Boys 2024 #158 31 401
MT Boys 0 #158 19 4,064
SG Boys 0 #158 1,061 17,960
Sweden Boys 2022 #159 24 1,509
PS 0 #162 57 5,692
DK Boys 0 #163 199 7,401
HU Boys 0 #168 7 3,954
Germany Boys 0 #175 2,742 5,697
SI Girls 0 #176 2 2,769
RU 0 #179 11 3,641
CZ 0 #183 4 3,154
DK 0 #193 11 5,198
Austria 0 #196 18 850
OM Girls 0 #206 196 15,987
PL 0 #211 2 2,600
LU Boys 0 #214 7 4,970
GH 0 #215 29 5,396
AL Girls 0 #222 6 4,141
BG Girls 0 #225 7 3,559
HU Girls 0 #225 1 3,308
IR 0 #226 6 4,221
AO Boys 0 #233 10 5,568
GH Boys 0 #237 114 8,138
LB 0 #237 682 13,263
NA Girls 0 #237 1 7,146
SG 0 #237 33 11,010
QA Girls 0 #241 76 15,378
GR Girls 0 #248 2 6,293
HR Boys 0 #249 10 3,997
IL 0 #250 25 6,291
NA Boys 0 #250 4 6,830
PT 0 #250 1 4,161
JP Girls 0 #251 1 6,592
TW Boys 0 #253 4 7,111
France Boys 2021 #254 142 2,865
NL Boys 0 #257 1,525 5,873
Canada Boys 2024 #258 49 2,588
BD Girls 0 #274 113 8,413
Finland Boys 0 #277 159 2,041
CN Boys 0 #278 42 9,639
IL Boys 0 #278 452 10,983
JP Boys 0 #278 20 7,909
HR Girls 0 #294 1 3,687
SY 0 #295 733 11,684
CZ Boys 0 #297 9 6,530
Finland 0 #298 10 830
SD Girls 0 #301 45 7,678
Germany 0 #303 140 2,542
PL Boys 0 #308 28 6,459
ZA 0 #309 139 14,421
GH Girls 0 #313 12 6,973
MU Boys 0 #313 45 8,477
JO Girls 0 #314 12 7,570
ZA Boys 0 #320 1,936 25,619
KZ Girls 0 #328 5 5,862
DK Girls 0 #329 1 7,429
NL 0 #337 55 2,481
PT Boys 0 #348 20 7,951
IN Boys 0 #349 1,037 16,750
SA Girls 0 #351 741 25,931
AE Girls 0 #359 196 20,968
BR 0 #360 1 5,969
MU Girls 0 #362 1 8,539
PL Girls 0 #364 1 5,096
PH Boys 0 #374 10 11,440
BO 0 #407 2 6,868
Spain Boys 0 #414 738 5,610
NG Girls 0 #419 474 15,093
IR Boys 0 #423 133 10,162
KW Girls 0 #423 93 19,177
Spain 0 #428 25 2,326
IT Boys 0 #432 2,358 10,046
IQ Girls 0 #444 61 11,303
CM Boys 0 #454 97 12,054
Finland Boys 2026 #462 254 3,552
PA Boys 0 #465 17 9,305
PT Girls 0 #471 1 7,952
AR Boys 0 #481 3 7,628
RU Girls 0 #487 12 11,913
GT Boys 0 #498 2 7,625
CR Boys 0 #502 9 10,188
HK Boys 0 #506 22 12,905
IR Girls 0 #540 6 8,334
PS Girls 0 #540 8 10,981
SG Girls 0 #550 37 18,916
CM Girls 0 #558 3 11,671
IN Girls 0 #598 34 13,121
BO Boys 0 #618 5 9,244
IL Girls 0 #642 4 11,648
CL Boys 0 #656 10 13,390
IT 0 #664 51 4,183
BR Boys 0 #721 31 12,213
United States Boys 2024 #730 163 7,044
MY Girls 0 #742 258 24,821
Germany Girls 0 #820 19 4,949
EG Girls 0 #850 110 14,742
PE Boys 0 #922 5 14,506
NL Girls 0 #936 20 5,933
Spain Girls 0 #965 19 5,561
MX Boys 0 #972 11 16,355
CO Boys 0 #974 8 15,656
ZA Girls 0 #1,118 24 25,928
IT Girls 0 #1,402 45 9,415

Ismail is popular in 90 countries — most recent births per country:

Norway
France
Canada
Belgium
Flanders, Belgium

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People also ask about Ismail

Ismail is predominantly a boy's name.
Ismail is a 3 syllable name, pronounced Arabic: /ismaːʕiːl/ (is-MAH-eel); English: /ɪzˈmaɪəl/ (iz-MY-ul); Hebrew (orig.): /jiʃmaˈʔel/ (YISH-ma-el).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Ismael, Ishmael, Ishmail, Isma'il, Ismaeel and Esmail.
Across languages, Ismail has these equivalents: Ishmael (English/Hebrew), Ismael (Spanish/Portuguese), Ismaël (French), İsmail (Turkish), Esmail/Esmaeil (Persian, Urdu), and 1 more.
Yes, very popular — Ismail ranked #1 in Germany in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 11 countries.
Ismail ranks highest in Germany (#1 in 2025).
Ismail's popularity is rising. It moved from #125 in 2015 to #119 in 2025 in Norway.
Yes — 8 notable people named Ismail are in our database, including Ismail Haniyeh (Politician), Ismail I (Royal), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Politician).