Boy name · Hebrew
Ismael
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: God will hearIsmael is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "God will hear". It is used in Spanish.
- Meaning
- God will hear
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- ees-mah-EL (Spanish)
Meaning and origin of Ismael
As a boy's name, Ismael comes from Hebrew and means "God will hear". It is used in Spanish.
In Spanish, say ees-mah-EL. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Ismael on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Ismael on 1 list.
“God will hear; Hebrew. Son of Abraham. Say ees-mah-EL”
From Spanish boy names, spanish boy names from the Bible
How popular is Ismael?
- US rank in 2025
- #263
- 1,307 babies, 765 per million boys
- Best rank
- #234 in 2024
- 1,535 babies that year
- Babies since 1903
- At least 44,216
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 4 per million |
| 1910s | 17 per million |
| 1920s | 34 per million |
| 1930s | 54 per million |
| 1940s | 55 per million |
| 1950s | 83 per million |
| 1960s | 115 per million |
| 1970s | 197 per million |
| 1980s | 231 per million |
| 1990s | 345 per million |
| 2000s | 447 per million |
| 2010s | 432 per million |
| 2020s | 692 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #404 | #392 | #359 | #365 | #350 | #350 | #312 | #244 | #234 | #263 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Ismael
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- IshmaelGod will hear (Hebrew, boy)
- IsmailGod will hear (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- JosephHe will add (Hebrew, boy)
- JosephineHe will add (Hebrew, girl)
- YusufHe will add (Hebrew, boy)
- EvdokiaGood will (Greek, girl)
- IosifHe will add (Hebrew, boy)
- JoséHe will add (Hebrew, boy)
- AchimGod will raise up (Hebrew, boy)
- BeppeHe will add (Hebrew, boy)
- FienHe will add (Hebrew, girl)
- Francisco JoséFrenchman, he will add (Latin and Hebrew, boy)
- GiuseppaHe will add (Hebrew, girl)
- GiuseppeHe will add (Hebrew, boy)
- GiuseppinaHe will add (Hebrew, girl)
Middle names for Ismael
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
- CedarFragrant evergreen tree (English, boy)
- DeanFrom a surname meaning valley (Old English, boy)
- DrakeDragon (Old English, boy)
- GrantGreat, large (Old French, boy)
- JackGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- RayCounsel protector (Germanic, boy)
- ShaneGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- WayneWagon maker or driver (Old English, boy)
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
- JonathanYahweh has given (Hebrew, boy)
- SamuelName of God (Hebrew, boy)
- SimonHe has heard (Hebrew, boy)
- AaronProbably Egyptian, meaning unknown; Hebrew theories say exalted (Hebrew, boy)
- AbelBreath (Hebrew, boy)
- BenSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- EthanFirm, enduring (Hebrew, boy)
- IbrahimFather of many nations (Hebrew, boy)
- JoelYahweh is God (Hebrew, boy)
Ismael: common questions
What does the name Ismael mean?
Ismael comes from Hebrew and means "God will hear".
Is Ismael a boy or girl name?
Ismael is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Ismael come from?
Ismael comes from Hebrew and means "God will hear". Today it is used in Spanish.
How do you pronounce Ismael?
In Spanish, say ees-mah-EL. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Ismael?
Ismael ranked #263 in the US in 2025, with 1,307 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Ismael?
Forms of Ismael with the same meaning and origin include Ishmael (English) and Ismail (Arabic).
What middle names go with Ismael?
Middle names that flow well with Ismael include Cedar, Dean, Drake, Grant and Jack. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.