Declining since 2020, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Issam since 1975
Babies named Issam per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 28 |
| 2010s | 74 |
| 2020s | 44 |
Meaning & origin
Issam is an Arabic virtue name with a strong moral meaning, appealing to families seeking a name that conveys integrity and restraint. In the United States, it is quite rare: as of 2025, it ranked 10,695, with an occurrence of about 1 in 284,679 boys. Its popularity saw a modest peak in 2021, though its trajectory has been falling since 2020. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1975, indicating a steady but very low level of use over the past five decades. While it does not appear in any top state rankings, Issam remains a meaningful choice within Arabic-speaking communities and among parents drawn to concise, strong names with clear ethical connotations.
Issam (also spelled 'Isam) derives from the Arabic root 'a-s-m (ع ص م), which conveys the idea of holding fast, preserving, or seeking refuge. The name is traditionally given to boys as a virtue name, reflecting qualities of integrity, steadfastness, and moral soundness. It has been used across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries.
“Issam” around the world
Where Issam lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
265
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sam, Issi, Sammy
Sibling names for Issam
Names that share Issam's style, for a brother or sister.
