Boy nameCurrently #1,498 in the USSteady
Ishmael
//ˈɪʃmil//
2 syllablesPeak year: 20177 lettersStarts with I
Meaning & origin
We're still researching Ishmael's meaning
We don't have a verified origin story for this name yet — we'd rather leave it blank than make one up. Check back soon, or explore the popularity data below in the meantime.
Ishmael's popularity over time
| Year | Births named Ishmael |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 6 |
| 1892 | 5 |
| 1893 | 7 |
| 1896 | 5 |
| 1901 | 6 |
| 1904 | 6 |
| 1907 | 5 |
| 1910 | 9 |
| 1911 | 8 |
| 1912 | 31 |
| 1913 | 23 |
| 1914 | 36 |
| 1915 | 38 |
| 1916 | 49 |
| 1917 | 43 |
| 1918 | 28 |
| 1919 | 31 |
| 1920 | 37 |
| 1921 | 36 |
| 1922 | 38 |
| 1923 | 35 |
| 1924 | 25 |
| 1925 | 28 |
| 1926 | 46 |
| 1927 | 29 |
| 1928 | 27 |
| 1929 | 20 |
| 1930 | 26 |
| 1931 | 20 |
| 1932 | 25 |
| 1933 | 24 |
| 1934 | 26 |
| 1935 | 22 |
| 1936 | 23 |
| 1937 | 22 |
| 1938 | 18 |
| 1939 | 17 |
| 1940 | 18 |
| 1941 | 10 |
| 1942 | 20 |
| 1943 | 17 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1945 | 12 |
| 1946 | 15 |
| 1947 | 13 |
| 1948 | 13 |
| 1949 | 20 |
| 1950 | 22 |
| 1951 | 14 |
| 1952 | 22 |
| 1953 | 14 |
| 1954 | 20 |
| 1955 | 15 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1958 | 13 |
| 1959 | 17 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1961 | 22 |
| 1962 | 14 |
| 1963 | 14 |
| 1964 | 19 |
| 1965 | 12 |
| 1966 | 13 |
| 1967 | 14 |
| 1968 | 19 |
| 1969 | 19 |
| 1970 | 18 |
| 1971 | 29 |
| 1972 | 23 |
| 1973 | 33 |
| 1974 | 47 |
| 1975 | 42 |
| 1976 | 33 |
| 1977 | 47 |
| 1978 | 43 |
| 1979 | 57 |
| 1980 | 55 |
| 1981 | 60 |
| 1982 | 56 |
| 1983 | 60 |
| 1984 | 59 |
| 1985 | 59 |
| 1986 | 50 |
| 1987 | 44 |
| 1988 | 37 |
| 1989 | 58 |
| 1990 | 86 |
| 1991 | 97 |
| 1992 | 112 |
| 1993 | 117 |
| 1994 | 122 |
| 1995 | 126 |
| 1996 | 141 |
| 1997 | 152 |
| 1998 | 146 |
| 1999 | 134 |
| 2000 | 144 |
| 2001 | 142 |
| 2002 | 118 |
| 2003 | 106 |
| 2004 | 124 |
| 2005 | 124 |
| 2006 | 114 |
| 2007 | 116 |
| 2008 | 100 |
| 2009 | 117 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 133 |
| 2012 | 127 |
| 2013 | 121 |
| 2014 | 141 |
| 2015 | 150 |
| 2016 | 132 |
| 2017 | 158 |
| 2018 | 139 |
| 2019 | 143 |
| 2020 | 144 |
| 2021 | 143 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 120 |
| 2024 | 119 |
Ishmael through the decades
- Ishmael peaked in 2017, when 158 babies were named Ishmael in the US.
- Over the last 10 years of data (2015–2024), use of Ishmael has risen 12% compared to the 10 years before that.
- Ishmael currently ranks #1,498 in the US and is holding steady.