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NamyLab

Ishmael

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"God Will Hear"

A biblical Hebrew name expressing the idea that God hears, prominent in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.

Themes:biblicaltheophorichearing
BiblicalLiteraryLiteratureUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Ishmael

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1498Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#1498

Ishmael was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-7

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Ishmael Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Ishmael.

10 ideas
Ishie
Nickname
Ishm
Nickname
ishy
Nickname
mael
Nickname
is
Nickname
ish
Nickname
shae
Nickname
maely
Nickname
ishm
Nickname
sham
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Ishmael

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Ishmael, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

20 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ishmael mean?
Ishmael means "God Will Hear". A biblical Hebrew name expressing the idea that God hears, prominent in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
What is the origin of Ishmael?
Ishmael is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Ishmael?
According to the latest SSA data, Ishmael is currently ranked #1498 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Ishmael a boy name?
Ishmael is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Ishmael?
Popular nicknames for Ishmael include Ishie, Ishm, ishy, mael, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Ishmael?
There are many names similar to Ishmael in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew
Syllables2
Length7 letters
US Rank#1498
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withI

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Ishmael

Ishmael has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Ishmael appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Biblical Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Hebrew Baby Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Ishmael pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Ishmael beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.