Ismael is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. It means "God will hear" or "God shall listen". The name Ismael is derived from the Hebrew name Ishmael, which was borne by the son of Abraham and Hagar in the Bible. In the biblical story, Hagar, the handmaid of Sarah, became pregnant with Ismael after Sarah sent her away due to jealousy. When Hagar returned to Abraham, she gave birth to Ismael, who later became the father of twelve princes according to the Book of Genesis.
The name Ismael has been used throughout history and across different cultures. It was particularly popular among Muslims, as Ishmael is considered the patriarch of the Arab people and a prophet in Islamic tradition. Today, Ismael is still widely used as a given name in various countries around the world, including Spain, France, and the Middle East.
In literature, Ismael has been the name of characters in several notable works. Most famously, it was the name chosen by Herman Melville for the narrator of his novel "Moby-Dick". In this classic American novel, Ismael is a sailor on the whaling ship Pequod, who recounts the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab to hunt down the white whale Moby Dick.
In addition to its biblical and literary associations, the name Ismael has also been used by various notable figures throughout history. For example, Ismaelillo was the title given to the last Muslim ruler of Granada, Boabdil, who surrendered the city to Christian forces in 1492. Additionally, several prominent musicians have borne the name Ismael, including the French composer Maurice Ravel and the Puerto Rican singer Ismael Rivera.
Overall, the name Ismael is steeped in history and culture, with roots in biblical tradition and widespread use across different communities throughout time. Its meaning, "God will hear", reflects its origins as the name of a figure who played an important role in the early history of the Israelites.
"Ismael saw a notable increase in popularity from the late 1940s to its peak in the mid-1980s, with over 1000 births recorded annually between 1979 and 1987. However, it has since declined, with fewer than 1000 births per year since 1996."