Issiah

Meaning & origin

Issiah, a variant spelling of Isaiah, has seen modest but consistent use in the United States since the early 20th century. It was first recorded in 1916, with its peak popularity occurring in 1998. Since 1999, it has been on a gradual downward trajectory. In 2025, the name ranked 7,194th, meaning approximately 1 in 155,280 newborn boys received this name. Unlike its parent name Isaiah, which has widespread appeal across regions, Issiah has not been notably popular in any particular state. The name's spelling distinguishes it from the more common Isaiah and Isiah, giving it a unique feel while retaining a familiar pronunciation. Although less frequent, Issiah continues to be chosen by parents seeking a phonetically straightforward variation of the prophetic biblical name.

Issiah is considered a variant of Isaiah, derived from the Hebrew Yeshayahu, meaning 'Yahweh is salvation'. The spelling with double 's' may have emerged as an American English respelling or a variant of the biblical name. It has been in sporadic use in the United States since at least 1916, without strong ties to any particular region or community.