How to say it
is · ma · EL
ˌis.mɑˈel
Masculine
Ismael
God will hear
What it means
The Spanish and Arabic form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el, 'God will hear' or 'God listens.'
Ismael is the Spanish and French spelling of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el, 'God will hear.' In the Bible he is Abraham's first son by Hagar; in Islam, Ismail is a prophet and the ancestor of the Arab peoples, which makes the name common across the Muslim world. English speakers also know the Ishmael who opens Moby-Dick. The Ismael spelling is standard in Spanish-speaking communities. Isma is the usual short.
How to spell Ismael
The standard spelling is Ismael. Common variants include Ishmael, Ismail, Esmael, but Ismael is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #234 in 2024, currently #263 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Ismael is Spanish and French, Ismail is the common Arabic transliteration, Ishmael is the English biblical form.
- Pop culture
'Call me Ishmael' opens Moby-Dick; in Islam, Ismail is a revered prophet.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Ismail Abraham's son and a prophet in Islam, ancestor of the Arab peoples
- Ishmael the narrator who opens Herman Melville's Moby-Dick
Spelling variants
- Ishmael
- Ismail
- Esmael
Names with the same feeling
See Ismael from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Ismael mean?
- The Spanish and Arabic form of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el, 'God will hear' or 'God listens.'
- What does Ismael mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Ismael means "God will hear." Ismael is the Spanish and French spelling of Ishmael, from the Hebrew Yishma'el, 'God will hear.' In the Bible he is Abraham's first son by Hagar; in Islam, Ismail is a prophet and the ancestor of the Arab peoples, which makes the name common across the Muslim world. English speakers also know the Ishmael who opens Moby-Dick. The Ismael spelling is standard in Spanish-speaking communities. Isma is the usual short.
- How do you pronounce Ismael?
- Ismael is pronounced ˌis.mɑˈel. Say it as is-ma-EL, with the stress on the "el" syllable.
- How do you spell Ismael?
- The standard spelling is Ismael. Common spelling variants include Ishmael, Ismail, Esmael.
- Is Ismael a boy or girl name?
- Ismael is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Ismael?
- Ismael ranked #263 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.