Find out how popular the first name Ishmael has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ishmael by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ishmael is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 119 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ishmael.

The history of the first name Ishmael

The name Ishmael has its origins in the Hebrew language and is derived from the biblical name Yishma'el, which means "God hears" or "God has hearkened." The name is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where Ishmael is the son of Abraham and his Egyptian concubine Hagar.

Ishmael is a significant figure in the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Islamic tradition, Ishmael is regarded as a prophet and is believed to have assisted his father Abraham in the construction of the Kaaba, the sacred shrine in Mecca. The Quran also mentions Ishmael as one of the righteous servants of God.

The earliest recorded use of the name Ishmael dates back to ancient times, and it has been found in various historical records and texts throughout the centuries. One of the earliest known individuals named Ishmael was Ishmael ibn Muhammad, a Persian poet who lived in the 9th century CE.

Another notable figure with the name Ishmael was Ishmael ibn Amir, a 10th-century Arab prince and military commander who played a significant role in the establishment of the Hamdanid dynasty in northern Syria and Iraq.

In literature, the name Ishmael is perhaps most famously associated with the character of Ishmael, the narrator of Herman Melville's classic novel "Moby-Dick," published in 1851. Melville's Ishmael is a complex and philosophical character who narrates the tale of Captain Ahab's obsessive pursuit of the white whale.

Another famous individual named Ishmael was Ishmael Reed, an American novelist, poet, and essayist born in 1938. Reed is known for his satirical and experimental writing, which often explores themes of race, culture, and identity.

In the realm of politics, Ishmael Toroama, born in 1962, is a notable figure who served as the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea from 2020 to 2023.

Overall, the name Ishmael has a rich history and has been borne by numerous individuals across various cultures and time periods, ranging from biblical figures and poets to novelists and political leaders.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ishmael was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ishmael, please contact us.

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