Ishmeal is an uncommon yet distinctive given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the name of the second son of the patriarch Jacob in the Old Testament. It means 'God will hear.' The name Ishmeal was popular among early Jewish communities but has since become relatively rare, making it a unique choice for parents seeking an unusual yet meaningful moniker.
The name Ishmeal experienced varied popularity over the years, with noticeable peaks and valleys. Between 1986 and 2001, it enjoyed significant popularity, with numerous years seeing double-digit births. However, from 2005 onwards, its popularity seems to have declined, with most years registering fewer than 10 births. Overall, despite the fluctuations, Ishmeal has been a consistently used name, with a total of 301 babies given this name across the specified time period.