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Ishmael

Boy's name · #1469 in the US (2025) · 2010s wave

Popularity over time

Ishmael reached its best rank, #789, in 1912 and ranked #1469 in 2025. Roughly 6,800 boys have been named Ishmael since 1880.

Across the states

See where Ishmael is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 10 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Ishmael ranks in other countries and regions.

#2,144 in Sweden (2025) · #3,153 in Canada (2025) · #3,256 in England & Wales (2025) · #4,616 in Ecuador (2025) · #2,505 in Italy (2023) · #4,752 in France (2021).

Famous Ishmaels

• Ishmael Reed — American poet, novelist, essayist, songwriter, and playwright (born 1938)
• Ishmael Beah — Sierra Leonean author and human rights activist (born 1980)
• Ishmael Miller — English footballer (born 1987)
• Ishmael Toroama — President of Bougainville since 2020 (born 1969)
• Ishmael Butler — American musician (born 1969)

In stories & tradition

• Ishmael — Figure in the Abrahamic religions
• Ishmael son of Nethaniah — Biblical character, member of the house of Judah

What Ishmaels become

Among 52 notable people named Ishmael:

Sports figures appear 2.58× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ishmael Miller, English footballer (born 1987).

Similar names: Ismael · Oren · Yisrael · Meyer · Isiah · Lemuel

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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