A Name Story by Houdhoud
إِسْمَاعِيل
Ismail
is-maa-EEL
“God hears.”
About Ismail
Ismail is a Muslim baby boy's name meaning "God hears", an Arabic name carried for centuries across the Muslim world.
Name of the Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), son of Ibrahim, ancestor of the Arabs.
Spellings of Ismail
إِسْمَاعِيل is one name, written in Latin letters in more than one way. Every spelling below is the same name.
| Spelling | Births in England and Wales, 2025 | Births in France, 2016 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Ismailthe spelling used on this page | 200 | 1,670 |
| Ismael | 38 | 2,775 |
| Ismaeel | 79 | Not listed |
Babies registered with exactly that spelling. England and Wales: Office for National Statistics, 2025 (the list covers names given to 3 or more babies). France: INSEE Fichier des prénoms, 2016 to 2025 added together (INSEE rounds each yearly count to the nearest 5).
Origin
Origin
Arabic
Gender
Boy
In the Qur’an
Surah 19 : Ayah 54
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا
“And mention in the Book, Ismail. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.”
Ismail appears in the Qur'an directly, as in the verse above.
Across history
Who has carried Ismail before.
- The Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), ancestor of the Arabs
How to say it
Stressed syllable in capitals
Discover names like Ismail
Other names with the same heart: close in origin, sound, and spirit.
Common questions about Ismail
- What does the name Ismail mean?
- Ismail (إِسْمَاعِيل) means "God hears". Name of the Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him), son of Ibrahim, ancestor of the Arabs.
- Is Ismail a name from the Qur'an?
- Yes. Ismail appears in the Qur'an, in Surah 19, Ayah 54. The verse is on this page with its English meaning.
- Is Ismail a boy or a girl name?
- Ismail is traditionally a boy's name.
- Where does the name Ismail come from?
- Ismail is an Arabic name.
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Collections Ismail belongs to.
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