Ismail
From Arabic إِسْمَاعِيل (ʔismāʕīl).
Every Ismail since 1962 — 4,022 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ismail
Ismail is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,065 in 2025 with 204 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1962, 4,022 American babies have been named Ismail. Its peak came in 2025, when 204 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ismail stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ismail year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 204 | #1,065 |
| 2024 | 163 | #1,232 |
| 2023 | 132 | #1,398 |
| 2022 | 122 | #1,485 |
| 2021 | 121 | #1,485 |
| 2020 | 130 | #1,363 |
| 2019 | 114 | #1,501 |
| 2018 | 158 | #1,196 |
| 2017 | 148 | #1,240 |
| 2016 | 171 | #1,131 |
| 2015 | 158 | #1,177 |
| 2014 | 136 | #1,301 |
| 2013 | 135 | #1,289 |
| 2012 | 116 | #1,435 |
| 2011 | 119 | #1,398 |
| 2010 | 94 | #1,661 |
| 2009 | 104 | #1,566 |
| 2008 | 85 | #1,767 |
| 2007 | 101 | #1,557 |
| 2006 | 103 | #1,481 |
| 2005 | 69 | #1,861 |
| 2004 | 80 | #1,620 |
| 2003 | 85 | #1,520 |
| 2002 | 85 | #1,489 |
| 2001 | 80 | #1,517 |
| 2000 | 68 | #1,690 |
| 1995 | 52 | #1,717 |
| 1990 | 42 | #1,853 |
| 1985 | 17 | #2,880 |
| 1980 | 30 | #1,882 |
| 1975 | 14 | #2,814 |
| 1970 | 7 | #4,014 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Ismail
- Ismail I Writer · 1487–1524
- Ismail al-Jazari Inventor · 1136–1206
- Ismail Ibn Sharif Politician · 1646–1727
- Ismail Kadare Writer · b. 1936
- Ismail II Politician · 1533–1577
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ismail mean?
From Arabic إِسْمَاعِيل (ʔismāʕīl).
How popular is the name Ismail in 2025?
Ismail ranked #1,065 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 204 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ismail?
4,022 babies have been named Ismail in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ismail most popular?
Ismail peaked in 2025, when 204 newborns received the name.
Is Ismail a boy or girl name?
Ismail is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ismail rising or falling?
Ismail is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ismail?
Well-known people named Ismail include Ismail I (writer), Ismail al-Jazari (inventor), Ismail Ibn Sharif (politician).