"God will hear"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Ismael
Pronunciation: [ IHSM-ayl ]
Does Ismael flow with your last name?
An ancient prayer — God will hear
Spanish
Arabic
Latin American
Jewish
Muslim
Spiritual
Classic
Traditional
Strong
International
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"God hears"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Ismael
Ismael is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el (יִשְׁמָעֵאל) meaning 'God will hear' or 'God hears.' In Genesis, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, and is considered the ancestor of Arab peoples in Abrahamic tradition. In Islam, Ismail (إسماعيل) is revered as a prophet who, alongside his father Ibrahim (Abraham), built the Kaaba in Mecca — Islam's holiest site.
Ismael has been consistently popular across Spanish-speaking Latin America for generations, a staple of Catholic and Muslim families alike. It remains among the top 100 boys' names in Mexico and other Latin American countries. In the US, the Spanish spelling Ismael outpaces the English Ishmael in frequency.
Ismael/Ishmael holds profound significance across three Abrahamic faiths. Herman Melville's iconic opening 'Call me Ishmael' in Moby-Dick (1851) gave the name literary immortality. In Muslim tradition, Ismail is one of the great prophets, and the annual Hajj pilgrimage commemorates events from his life.
Historical Record
Ismael first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 41,018 babies have been named Ismael in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ismael is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #234 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Call me Ishmael' is one of the most famous opening lines in world literature, from Melville's Moby-Dick (1851)
- In Islam, Ismail (Ishmael) helped his father Ibrahim build the Kaaba in Mecca
- The name appears in the Torah, Bible, and Quran — one of the few names sacred to all three Abrahamic faiths
Ismael in Other Languages
Arabic
إسماعيل (Ismail)
French
Ismaël
Hebrew
יִשְׁמָעֵאל
Spanish
Ismael
Portuguese
Ismael
Popularity Over Time
#234
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ismael
I
Ismael Rivera
Musician
1931
Puerto Rican singer known as 'El Sonero Mayor,' a legend of salsa and Cuban son music
I
Ishmael (Biblical/Quranic figure)
Religious
Son of Abraham and Hagar in Abrahamic tradition; revered as a prophet in Islam and patriarch of Arab peoples
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Compare Ismael with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #234
- Total SSA Count
- 1,532
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Arabic Latin American Jewish Muslim
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Isma
Mael
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ismael
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ismael is also used as a girl name, ranked #60280.
View Ismael as a girl name →Similar Names
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"greatest"
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Tobias
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Hebrew origin
"God is good; Yahweh is good"
#280 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ismael
What does the name Ismael mean?
"God will hear" (from Hebrew). "God hears" (from Biblical Hebrew). Ismael is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el (יִשְׁמָעֵאל) meaning 'God will hear' or 'God hears.' In Genesis, Ishmael was the first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, and is considered the ancestor of Arab peoples in Abrahamic tradition. In Islam, Ismail (إسماعيل) is revered as a prophet who, alongside his father Ibrahim (Abraham), built the Kaaba in Mecca — Islam's holiest site.
What is the origin of the name Ismael?
Ismael has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic, Latin American, Jewish, and Muslim origins. In Hebrew, it means "God will hear". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "God hears".
Is Ismael a boy or girl name?
Ismael is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #234. As a girl name, it is ranked #60280. Ismael is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Ismael?
Ismael is pronounced IHSM-ayl.
How popular is the name Ismael?
Ismael is currently ranked #234 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ismael?
Common nicknames for Ismael include Isma and Mael.
What are good middle names for Ismael?
Popular middle name pairings include Ismael Antonio, Ismael David, Ismael Rafael, Ismael Alejandro, Ismael Xavier, Ismael Jose, and Ismael Carlos.
What are good sibling names for Ismael?
Names that pair well with Ismael as siblings include Gabriel, Rafael, Daniel, Valentina, Sofia, Isabella, and Lucia.
How many syllables does Ismael have?
Ismael has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ismael a common or rare name?
Ismael is a popular name, ranked #234 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
What boy names are similar to Ismael?
About the Name Ismael
Ismael is a boy name with Spanish, Arabic, Latin American, Jewish, and Muslim origins . The name means "God will hear" in Hebrew .
Is Ismael a boy or girl name? Ismael is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #234 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #60,280. Ismael is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ismael is currently ranked #234 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ismael has 3 syllables and is pronounced IHSM-ayl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ismael include Isma and Mael. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ismael include Ismail, Ismaeel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis