Ishmael
3 countries#1466 in United States, 2025Popularity across 3 countries
Each line is scaled to its own peak, so you can compare when Ishmael was in fashion in each country, whatever the population size.
Country by country
🇺🇸 United States
6,794 births recorded 1880–2025 · currently #1466 · peaked in 2017 with 158 births
Most common in: California, New York, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania
Source: Social Security Administration, official birth-registration data
🏴🏴 England & Wales
413 births recorded 1996–2021 · currently #1860 · peaked in 2010 with 30 births
Source: Office for National Statistics, official birth-registration data
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
413 births recorded 1996–2021 · peaked in 2010 with 30 births (England & Wales + Scotland + Northern Ireland combined)
Source: ONS, National Records of Scotland & NISRA (combined), official birth-registration data
🇫🇷 France
14 births recorded 1993–2021 · peaked in 1993 with 4 births
Most common in: Guadeloupe
Source: INSEE, official birth-registration data
United States rank history
Ishmael’s rank among boys’ names, most recent 20 years on record.
| Year | Rank | vs. prior yr |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | #1391 | — |
| 2007 | #1405 | ↓14 |
| 2008 | #1582 | ↓177 |
| 2009 | #1433 | ↑149 |
| 2010 | #1470 | ↓37 |
| 2011 | #1285 | ↑185 |
| 2012 | #1336 | ↓51 |
| 2013 | #1387 | ↓51 |
| 2014 | #1264 | ↑123 |
| 2015 | #1223 | ↑41 |
| 2016 | #1349 | ↓126 |
| 2017 | #1182 | ↑167 |
| 2018 | #1305 | ↓123 |
| 2019 | #1296 | ↑9 |
| 2020 | #1271 | ↑25 |
| 2021 | #1307 | ↓36 |
| 2022 | #1731 | ↓424 |
| 2023 | #1489 | ↑242 |
| 2024 | #1487 | ↑2 |
| 2025 | #1466 | ↑21 |
Frequently asked questions about Ishmael
Is Ishmael a popular name?
Yes — Ishmael currently ranks #1466 among boys’ names in United States as of 2025, based on official birth records.
Is Ishmael more common for boys or girls?
Ishmael is recorded predominantly as a boys’ name in official United States birth data.
When was Ishmael most popular?
Ishmael peaked in 2017 in United States, with 158 recorded births that year.
Is Ishmael rising or falling in popularity?
In United States, Ishmael’s popularity is falling — its rank has slipped from #809 in 1880 to #1466 in 2025.
How many babies have been named Ishmael?
At least 7,221 babies have been recorded with the name Ishmael across official birth statistics in 3 countries.
Is Ishmael popular in more than one country?
Yes — Ishmael appears in official birth records in 3 countries: United States, England & Wales, France.
What names are similar in popularity to Ishmael?
Based on real 2025 ranking data in United States, names ranked closest to Ishmael include Calloway, Dominique, Jetson, Joao.
Similar names right now
Ranked directly next to Ishmael in United States, 2025 — a real popularity match, not a subjective list.