Ismail is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #243 in 2025 with 200 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2008 with 205 births ranking #225. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 166.7%. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 1,360 boys born was named Ismail. RISING Recent data shows the name is currently rising.
Ismail is the Arabic form of Ishmael and means "God hears". It is a major prophetic name in Muslim tradition and has a calm, dignified sound.
The name is especially important in Islam through the prophet Ismail, son of Ibrahim. It has remained widely used across Arabic-speaking and broader Muslim communities for centuries.