Ismail is a name of Arabic origin, meaning "he who hears and obeys." It comes from the Arabic word "isma," which means "to hear" or "to obey." In Islamic tradition, Ismail is considered to be one of the prophets of Allah, the father of Jacob in the Abrahamic religions. He was the son of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his wife Hajar, and according to Muslim beliefs, he was born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The name Ismail has been popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa for centuries, but it has also gained popularity worldwide due to its strong Islamic roots and positive connotations.
The name Ismail has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years, with a total of 3655 babies named Ismail from 1962 to 2023. The trend shows a steady growth from the 1970s onwards, with a notable spike starting around the late 1980s and continuing into the 2000s and beyond.