Ishmael
Complete Name Analysis & Etymology Guide
6,671 Total Births
145 Years of Data
2017 Peak Popularity Year
158 Peak Births

Ishmael Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis

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Summary

Ishmael is a Hebrew name meaning 'God will hear'. It has evolved through various languages, including Hebrew and Latin, and carries significant biblical relevance as the son of Abraham. The name has been widely used throughout history and is associated with strong traits of resilience. It remains a notable name in both religious and literary contexts.

Etymology & Cultural Background of "Ishmael"

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Pronunciation

/ˈɪʃmeɪəl/

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Origin

Hebrew

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Etymology

The name Ishmael comes from the Hebrew name יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yishma'el), meaning 'God will hear'.

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Meaning

God will hear

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Language Evolution

Yishma'el (Hebrew), Ishmael (Latinized form), Ismaël (French), Ismael (Spanish)

Biblical Background

Ishmael is a significant figure in the Bible, known as the first son of Abraham and Hagar, and is considered a patriarch in Islamic tradition as well.

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Historical Usage

The name gained popularity due to its biblical significance and has been used in various cultures and languages throughout history.

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Variants & Derivatives

Ismaël, Ismael, Ishmaele, Ishma

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Modern Popularity & Image

Ishmael is often associated with notions of resilience and survival, partly due to its biblical roots and cultural references in literature, such as in Herman Melville's 'Moby-Dick'.

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Famous People

Ishmael Reed (American author), Ishmael Beah (Sierra Leonean author and human rights activist)

📊 Ishmael Name Trend Analysis

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Boy Name Trend

Recent 3-Year Analysis

3-Year Trend: Stable
25-Year Trend: Relatively Stable

Explore More Ishmael Name Visualizations

✨ Ishmael Name Meaning & Significance

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Popularity Trend

Less Common name with 158 peak births in 2017

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Geographic Spread

Popular across 25 US states, with strongest presence in Florida

Historical Span

Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends

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Generational Impact

Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity

🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Ishmael" - Complete Guide (4 Names)

Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Ishmael". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 4 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.

Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Ishmael" that fits your preferences.

Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Ishmael"

Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Yearly Ranking History of "Ishmael"

"Ishmael" Popularity Across American Generations

Generation Gender Rank Total Names
G.I. Generation (1901-1927) Boy 1166th of 7545 587
Silent Generation (1928-1945) Boy 1594th of 6773 355
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) Boy 2006th of 7552 303
Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) Boy 1546th of 10718 504
Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) Boy 1160th of 16616 1,284
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) Boy 1246th of 24088 2,008
Generation Alpha (2013-2024) Boy 1372nd of 23106 1,607

Regional Popularity of "Ishmael" by Generation for Male Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- 91.44%
1261st/1379
41.29%
977th/2366
-
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
- - 63.07%
1484th/2353
-
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
- 59.55%
1447th/2430
60.57%
1728th/2853
-
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
60.98%
1791st/2937
35.69%
1243rd/3483
48.44%
1704th/3518
32.91%
1331st/4044
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
38.86%
1432nd/3685
18.66%
835th/4475
23.01%
1195th/5194
20.96%
1324th/6317
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
35.40%
1622nd/4582
18.05%
932nd/5164
16.70%
1221st/7313
17.90%
1336th/7463
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
45.76%
1823rd/3984
21.19%
951st/4487
19.86%
1355th/6822
21.59%
1355th/6276

Regional Popularity of "Ishmael" by Generation for Female Names

TOP(%) MidWest Northeast South West
G.I. Generation
(1901-1927)
- - - -
Silent Generation
(1928-1945)
- - - -
Baby Boomers
(1946-1964)
- - - -
Generation X (Gen X)
(1965-1980)
- - - -
Millennials (Gen Y)
(1981-1996)
- - - -
Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers)
(1997-2012)
- - - -
Generation Alpha
(2013-2024)
- - - -

State-by-State Popularity of "Ishmael"

This map shows the relative popularity of "Ishmael" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.

Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Ishmael" in the United States

The name Ishmael is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Ishmael has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Ishmael' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1166th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1594th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2006th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1546th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1160th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1246th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1372nd out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Ishmael' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.

Infographic: Ishmael name meaning, origin, and popularity trends in the United States (US baby name analysis chart)
[600x500px image] Etymology and historical popularity of Ishmael,
Infographic: Ishmael same pronunciation names, similar names, and homophone names
[600x500px image] Ishmael same pronunciation names, similar names, and homophone names