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 been consistently popular in the United States over the past few decades, with a total of 3,655 babies given this name since 1962.
From the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, there was an average of about seven births per year with the name Ismail. However, from the late 1970s onwards, there has been a steady increase in its popularity. In fact, between 2006 and 2023, there were more than 100 births each year with the name Ismail.
The highest number of births recorded for the name Ismail was in 2023, with 132 babies given this name. This marks a significant increase from previous years, suggesting that Ismail continues to be a popular choice among parents in the United States today.