Rising since 1985, #263 for boys today.
Popularity of Ismael since 1903
Babies named Ismael per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 114 |
| 1920s | 379 |
| 1930s | 569 |
| 1940s | 817 |
| 1950s | 1,684 |
| 1960s | 2,208 |
| 1970s | 3,252 |
| 1980s | 4,256 |
| 1990s | 6,726 |
| 2000s | 8,916 |
| 2010s | 8,114 |
| 2020s | 7,176 |
Meaning & origin
Ismael, the Spanish form of Ishmael, has been in steady use in the United States since at least 1903, though its popularity has risen notably since 1985. In 2025, it ranked 263rd, with 1 in every 1,307 baby boys receiving the name. Its peak so far was in 2024, continuing an upward trajectory. The name is most common in New Mexico, Arizona, and California, reflecting strong ties to Hispanic and Latino communities. While historically biblical, Ismael today carries a modern, multicultural appeal, balancing tradition with a distinctive sound.
Ismael is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Ishmael, deriving from the Hebrew 'Yishma'el,' meaning 'God hears.' In the Hebrew Bible, Ishmael is the first son of Abraham and Hagar, and is considered a patriarch in Islamic tradition as well. The name has been consistently used in Spanish-speaking communities, particularly in Latin America and the southwestern United States.
Where Ismael is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ismael” around the world
Where Ismael lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#58
in 2024
Quebec
36
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Izzy, Mael
Sibling names for Ismael
Names that share Ismael's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Amaya, Sofia, Valentina, Gabriela, Paloma, Gissel, Gricelda, Hermelinda, Isamar, Zulma, Hajar, Palmira, Soraida, Yarelis, Yecenia, Briceida, Damariz, Erendida, Gricel, Ismelda, Jisela, Lirio
Brothers: Mateo, Elijah, Santiago, Emmanuel, Omar, Arnulfo, Eladio, Jerardo, Ulices, Chayanne, Jassiel, Osualdo, Wilfrido, Isaul, Ranferi, Uvaldo
Names like Ismael
Names whose popularity has moved with Ismael's over the last 50 years.
