Declining since 2010, #1,867 for boys today.
Popularity of Ishan since 1982
Babies named Ishan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 23 |
| 1990s | 212 |
| 2000s | 978 |
| 2010s | 1,048 |
| 2020s | 476 |
Meaning & origin
Ishan entered the U.S. Social Security records in 1982, a time when Indian names were becoming more visible in the American naming landscape. Its peak came in 2009 at rank 678, after which it has been on a steady decline; since 2010, its trajectory has been falling. Today about 1 in 20,334 boys receives the name, reflecting its steady but niche appeal. Geographically, the name is most common in New Jersey, Illinois, and California, states with significant South Asian communities. While not a top contender, Ishan remains a strong, culturally rich choice for families seeking a name with deep roots in Sanskrit tradition.
Ishan is a name of Sanskrit origin, derived from the word 'īśāna' (ईशान), meaning 'wealthy' or 'possessing wealth'. It is also considered a variant of Ishaan, which is linked to the sun god in Hinduism and means 'sun' or 'lord of wealth'. The name has been used in India for centuries and has gained modest popularity in the United States since the 1980s, primarily within families of Indian heritage.
Where Ishan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ishan” around the world
Where Ishan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ish
Sibling names for Ishan
Names that share Ishan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aanya, Maya, Sara, Priya, Riya, Anushka, Aashna, Hasini, Laasya, Manasvi, Shloka, Urvi, Yashvi, Aahana, Niyati, Pragya, Samyuktha, Vaanya, Vanshika, Alekhya, Anshu, Pihu, Priyana, Savera, Vedanshi
Brothers: Arjun, Rohan, Aryan, Nikhil, Vivek, Atharv, Avyukt, Naksh, Pratham, Saharsh, Samay, Anvay, Kathan, Sayan, Shrihan, Suhaan, Viyaan, Yuvaan, Adith, Ashvin, Chinmay, Arihant, Malhar, Nihit, Srijan, Tarak, Vidyuth
