Ismael

Ismael - A very unique male name

Ismael appeared on the charts for the first time in 1912 on position #916. In this article you'll learn the history of this name, statistics, see famous people named Ismael and more.
Are you having a baby or looking to learn more about the name Ismael? Our experts and editorial staff have gathered trends and insights for 30,000+ baby names over the last 100 years -- And on this page you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about the name Ismael. The baby boy name Ismael was given to 1,290 baby boys in 2025, ranking #263 on the national boy baby name top chart.


With that position 1 in 1,137 baby boys were given this name - making this a very unique male name according to our Popularity Score algorithm. Ismael peaked in popularity 2 years ago in 2024 on position 234.

Famous with this name

How would you rate Ismael, 1-5?

Ismael is currently topping the charts in...

Did you know that popularity can vary a lot between states? Ismael is currently topping the baby name charts in New Mexico at position #93 - and is the least popular in Virginia at position #761.

Why care about state specific baby name charts? It could be that a name that is very popular on the national overall charts is less (or even more) popular where you live. So make sure you check out the state specific charts below and find out how popular or unique Ismael is where you live.

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Ismael origin and meaning

Spanish form of Ishmael, from Hebrew

"God will hear" — from Hebrew Yishma'el

Ismael is the Spanish form of Ishmael, Abraham's firstborn son in Genesis, an important figure in Islam as well as in the Bible. It has been in American data since 1912, used steadily in Spanish-speaking families, and has risen recently to near its 2024 peak.

Attested etymology

Ismael is a 6 letter name with 2 syllables.

To see famous people named Ismael, pop culture references for the name Ismael and nicknames & variations - visit Nameberry or Wikipedia.

Similar to Ismael

We've found the following names that sound similar to Ismael, sorted by popularity.

Ishmael / Ismail / Izmael / Ismaeel / Ishmel / Ismaila /

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Name statistics

Most parents-to-be know if they want a popular or unique name, and with these charts and data tables you can easily get a better understanding of how popular or unique this name is.

With a quick glance you can easily tell if this name is increasing or declining in popularity - But note that its current popularity can actually differ a lot from state to state.

Chart position per year (visualized)

Chart position per state (visualized)

Chart position per year (table view)

Chart position per state (table view)

Even more about Ismael

These are some of the common questions you may want to have answered to know if this is the perfect name for your baby.

Is Ismael a common or unique name?

By analyzing the number of births and frequency of this name we've determined that it's currently a very unique male name.

What is the number of syllables for the name Ismael?

2 syllables. Why is this important? One of the things that makes a baby name sound good and have a nice rythm is the number of syllables - and especially the number of syllables along with the syllable count for your last name. A simple rule is to avoid having the same number of syllables in your first, middle and last name.

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Pronunciation

ees-mah-EL · /ismaˈel/
Spanish speakers say ees-mah-EL; English readers often attempt ISH-may-el following the biblical spelling Ishmael — the two traditions pronounce it differently.

Around the world

• Ismael (Spanish) — The name in its home language
• Ishmael (English) — The English biblical form of the same name
• Ismail (Arabic) — The Arabic form of the same patriarch's name
• İsmail (Turkish) — The Turkish form

Spellings and nicknames

• Ishmael — The English biblical spelling
• Ismail — The Arabic transliteration

Nicknames: Isma

Famous bearers

• Ismael Rivera — Puerto Rican salsa singer, 'El Sonero Mayor' (1931–1985) Historical
• Ismael Cruz Córdova — Actor known for The Rings of Power (b. 1987) Contemporary

Style

BiblicalInternational

Why parents choose it

Parents pick Ismael for its place in both Bible and Quran and its musical Spanish sound — a heritage name with a gentle strength and a story of a God who hears.

Worth knowing

• American readers default to Ishmael (Moby-Dick's narrator), so spelling and pronunciation corrections are routine.
• 'Call me Ishmael' is the literary echo — attached to the English spelling, but Ismaels hear it too.