Ishmael
Ishmael was the 1469th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 121 babies. Its best year was 1912, when it ranked 789th; the most babies were born in 2017 (158). Over the last ten years it has moved down 244 places. More babies were named Ishmael in the 2010s than in any other decade.
Meaning Not yet researched how we research meanings
- Rank in 2025
- #1,469 boys, down 197 places since 2020
- Babies in 2025
- 121boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 2017158 babies
- Total since 1880
- 6,794babies recorded
Ishmael popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,469 | 121 |
| 2020 | #1,272 | 144 |
| 2010 | #1,475 | 111 |
| 2000 | #1,017 | 144 |
| 1990 | #1,177 | 86 |
| 1980 | #1,246 | 55 |
| 1970 | #2,165 | 18 |
| 1960 | #2,961 | 9 |
| 1950 | #1,587 | 22 |
| 1940 | #1,658 | 18 |
| 1930 | #1,443 | 26 |
| 1920 | #1,194 | 37 |
| 1910 | #1,159 | 9 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | #870 | 6 |
How popular is Ishmael, counting every spelling?
Ishmael has no other common spelling that sounds the same. Counting every name's spellings together, it ranks #1,391 for boys in 2025, against #1,469 on the official list.
How many kids will share the name Ishmael?
121 of the 3,606,400 babies born in the US in 2025 were named Ishmael (0.03 per 1,000 births). For a boy named Ishmael born in 2025, the chance that another child with the same name is in a class of 20 children the same age is under 1 in 50. If every grade liked the name as much as the 2025 babies do, only about one elementary school in 69 (of 430 pupils) would have a child named Ishmael.
Shares of all registered births (NCHS); classes assumed to be children born the same year. How we estimate this.
How old are people named Ishmael?
About 5,600 people born in the US named Ishmael are alive today, with a median age of 23; half are between 11 and 34. That makes Ishmael mostly worn by children and young adults.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Ishmael by state
How common Ishmael was among boys born in each state in 2021–2025. It is notably more common than nationally in Pennsylvania (1.8×), New York (1.8×), Florida (1.7×), Georgia (1.6×). In 37 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Ishmael: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Ishmael, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Ishmael
How popular is the name Ishmael?
Ishmael was the 1469th most popular name for boys in 2025, given to 121 babies. Its best year was 1912, when it ranked 789th; the most babies were born in 2017 (158). Over the last ten years it has moved down 244 places. More babies were named Ishmael in the 2010s than in any other decade.
Is Ishmael a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Ishmael in the US.
Where is Ishmael most popular?
In 2021–2025, Ishmael was most common in Pennsylvania (0.12 per 1,000 boys), followed by New York and Florida.