Issa
From Somali Ciise or Arabic عيسى.
Every Issa since 1969 — 3,217 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Issa
Issa is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,682 in 2025 with 98 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1969, 3,217 American babies have been named Issa — about 71% boys and 29% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2024, when 196 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 Issa stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Issa year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59 | #2,871 | 98 | #1,682 |
| 2024 | 81 | #2,291 | 115 | #1,535 |
| 2023 | 61 | #2,798 | 109 | #1,595 |
| 2022 | 74 | #2,454 | 92 | #1,787 |
| 2021 | 59 | #2,864 | 84 | #1,845 |
| 2020 | 54 | #2,990 | 88 | #1,754 |
| 2019 | 57 | #2,902 | 73 | #2,008 |
| 2018 | 53 | #3,075 | 87 | #1,767 |
| 2017 | 41 | #3,730 | 64 | #2,141 |
| 2016 | 26 | #5,195 | 81 | #1,850 |
| 2015 | 28 | #4,906 | 54 | #2,396 |
| 2014 | 21 | #6,080 | 71 | #2,009 |
| 2013 | 20 | #6,343 | 58 | #2,237 |
| 2012 | 15 | #7,979 | 66 | #2,078 |
| 2011 | 14 | #8,363 | 56 | #2,296 |
| 2010 | 24 | #5,691 | 55 | #2,339 |
| 2009 | 17 | #7,472 | 46 | #2,674 |
| 2008 | 14 | #8,686 | 49 | #2,561 |
| 2007 | 18 | #7,205 | 68 | #2,044 |
| 2006 | 9 | #11,805 | 45 | #2,636 |
| 2005 | 8 | #12,268 | 62 | #2,020 |
| 2004 | 12 | #8,908 | 38 | #2,765 |
| 2003 | 11 | #9,295 | 52 | #2,138 |
| 2002 | 13 | #8,001 | 40 | #2,482 |
| 2001 | 17 | #6,440 | 37 | #2,582 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,291 | 27 | #3,177 |
| 1995 | 6 | #12,348 | 36 | #2,230 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,800 | 29 | #2,398 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7,170 | 14 | #3,287 |
| 1980 | — | — | 16 | #2,881 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,357 | 16 | #2,580 |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Issa
- Issa Hayatou Politician · b. 1946
- Issa Pliyev Military personnel · 1903–1979
- Issa Diop Soccer player · b. 1997
- Issa Rae Actor · b. 1985
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Issa mean?
From Somali Ciise or Arabic عيسى.
How popular is the name Issa in 2025?
Issa ranked #1,682 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 98 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Issa?
3,217 babies have been named Issa in the United States since 1969, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Issa most popular?
Issa peaked in 2024, when 196 newborns received the name.
Is Issa a boy or girl name?
Issa is used for both: about 29% of babies named Issa have been girls and 71% boys.
Is the name Issa rising or falling?
Issa is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Issa?
Well-known people named Issa include Issa Hayatou (politician), Issa Pliyev (military personnel), Issa Diop (soccer player).