Declining since 2007, #3,848 for boys today.
Popularity of Isreal since 1880
Babies named Isreal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Isreal's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 29 |
| 1890s | 26 |
| 1900s | 45 |
| 1910s | 165 |
| 1920s | 213 |
| 1930s | 183 |
| 1940s | 194 |
| 1950s | 220 |
| 1960s | 235 |
| 1970s | 472 |
| 1980s | 455 |
| 1990s | 638 |
| 2000s | 932 |
| 2010s | 607 |
| 2020s | 250 |
Meaning & origin
Isreal is a variant spelling of Israel, a name of profound religious significance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. According to Social Security data, Isreal first appeared in records in 1880, when it ranked 3,848 and was most common in New York. The name has seen a generally falling trajectory since 2007, as parents increasingly favor the standard spelling Israel, which has risen in popularity. In 2025, Isreal remained a rare choice, given to roughly 1 in 61,003 boys. Its peak year in the data was 1880, reflecting its use among earlier immigrant communities. Though the spelling Isreal is less common, it preserves the same ancient heritage: a name tied to the biblical patriarch Jacob and the nation of Israel, meaning 'one who strives with God.'
Isreal is a variant spelling of Israel, a name of Hebrew origin from the Hebrew Yisra'el, meaning 'he who strives with God' or 'God contends.' In the Hebrew Bible, the name was given to the patriarch Jacob after he wrestled with an angel (Genesis 32:28). It has been used as a given name since the Protestant Reformation, especially among Puritans, and remains common in Jewish and Christian communities.
Where Isreal is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Izzy, Real, Rael
Sibling names for Isreal
Names that share Isreal's style, for a brother or sister.
