Holding steady.
Popularity of Isham since 1880
Babies named Isham per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Isham's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 65 |
| 1890s | 53 |
| 1900s | 24 |
| 1910s | 100 |
| 1920s | 151 |
| 1930s | 56 |
| 1940s | 47 |
| 1950s | 36 |
| 1960s | 13 |
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Isham is a name that has maintained a steady but low profile since it first appeared in U.S. records in 1880. That year marks both its first recorded use and its peak year, though it has never broken into the top ranks. The name's trajectory over time has been stable, meaning it has never experienced a dramatic rise or fall. Its 1-in-N incidence is not available, but its sustained but infrequent use suggests a name that has lingered on the periphery of American naming. As a predominantly southern surname in origin, Isham carries an understated charm for parents seeking a rare but historically grounded choice.
Isham is an English surname transferred to given name use. It likely derives from the village of Isham in Northamptonshire, whose name may come from Old English 'īs' (iron?) or a personal name plus 'hām' (homestead). The name saw modest but sustained use in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with 1880 remaining its peak year. Its sound aligns with other surname-style names like Ishmael.
“Isham” around the world
Where Isham lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Izzy
Sibling names for Isham
Names that share Isham's style, for a brother or sister.
