Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Isam since 1880
Babies named Isam per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1998, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Isam's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 49 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 54 |
| 2000s | 60 |
| 2010s | 71 |
| 2020s | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Isam is a rare masculine name of uncertain Arabic origin. Recorded in U.S. data as far back as 1880, it has never entered widespread use. Its peak year remains 1880, and its trajectory suggests a stable but minimal presence. The name's 1-in-244,011 rate in 2025 indicates extreme rarity, with no states showing concentrated popularity. Though derivation from a root meaning 'safeguard' or 'security' is plausible, lack of strong historical documentation leaves its etymology open to debate.
Isam is of obscure origin. It may derive from the Arabic root ʿa-ṣ-m (to protect, safeguard), giving meanings related to 'protection' or 'safety'. However, this derivation is not firmly established, and the name's history in use is poorly documented. It has seen limited but consistent use in the United States since the 1880s, likely among families with Arabic cultural heritage.
“Isam” around the world
Where Isam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Isam
Names that share Isam's style, for a brother or sister.
