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-Hebrew-Arabic name carried for centuries across the Muslim world.
Of Hebrew origin. Name of the Prophet Ismail ﷺ, son of Ibrahim, ancestor of the Arabs.
Origin & roots
Origin
Arabic (Hebrew root) · Arabic
Gender
Boy
Also spelled
Ismael, Ismaeel, Ishmael
Root letters
Ismail's consonants traveled from Hebrew into Arabic without losing their shape or sound — the same root, recognized in both scriptures.
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.”
Saheeh International translation · sourced from Tanzil
Ismail appears in the Qur'an directly. The verse above is one of those mentions.
Across history
Who has carried Ismail before.
- The Prophet Ismail ﷺ, 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.
MOO-sa · Arabic · Arabic-Hebrew
“Drawn from water.”
NOOH · Arabic · Arabic-Hebrew
“Comfort, rest.”
soo-lay-MAAN · Arabic · Arabic-Hebrew
“Peaceful.”
il-YAAS · Arabic · Arabic-Hebrew
“My God is Yahweh (the Lord).”
da-WOOD · Arabic · Arabic-Hebrew
“Beloved.”
HAH-roon · Arabic-Hebrew · Arabic
“Harun (Aaron) — Bosnian usage.”
Common questions about Ismail
- What does the name Ismail mean?
- Ismail (إِسْمَاعِيل) means "God hears". Of Hebrew origin. Name of the Prophet Ismail ﷺ, son of Ibrahim, ancestor of the Arabs.
- Is Ismail a name from the Qur'an?
- Yes. Ismail appears in the Qur'an — including Surah 19, Ayah 54. The verse and its Saheeh International translation, sourced from Tanzil, are on this page.
- 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-Hebrew-Arabic name, built on the root letters S-M-ʿ.
Browse names like Ismail
Collections Ismail belongs to.
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