This first name, steeped in history, is very popular, especially during the Ramadan period. Considered one of the most important characters in the Koran, he has seen his first name skyrocket since the start of 2024 and is one of parents’ favorites.
It is a first name of Egyptian origin which means “God has heard”. Synonymous with hope and destiny, it is a very popular first name both in Muslim families and also in Jewish families. If the character is inscribed in Genesis and the Koran, he is also very appreciated for his musicality and his ending in -el which recalls Arabic and Hebrew culture.
Coming from Egypt, this renewed notoriety can be explained in particular by the fact that it is a very influential country in terms of names. It is a country steeped in history and culture with the pyramids, pharaohs and Egyptian deities, so much so that it has been given many Hebrew names which have persisted centuries later and thus peak popularity especially during the Ramadan period.
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What is the origin of the first name Ishmaël?
From the Koran, this Egyptian-sounding first name refers to the son of Abraham. A major character in Genesis and the Koran, Abraham is considered the main patriarch of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim religions, but the latter’s wife, Sarah, is suspected of being infertile. Therefore Abraham conceives Ishmael with the servant Hagar. But a few years later, Sarah and Abraham finally managed to give birth to little Isaac. Isaac and Ismäel will then enter into rivalry and will fight over the inheritance. Isaac will finally win his case and manage to have the latter chased away.
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This is how God promises Abraham to make Ishmael a “great nation”. Since then, he has been considered one of the most important characters in Genesis and the Koran and has become the ancestor of the Arab peoples. This name, steeped in history, is used many times, particularly by Muslim families.
Why is this Muslim first name so popular?
The first name Ismaël is the 6th most given first name in Seine-Saint-Denis in 2024 according to The Official First Names. If the first name is so popular, it is first of all for its religious aspect and its meaning steeped in history. Being considered one of the most important characters in the Koran, he is favored by many religious families. In addition, this first name meaning “God has heard” in Hebrew is synonymous with hope and suggests that we must believe in God and trust him. The -el ending of this Muslim name is also very popular. Indeed, this sound that The Official First Names qualifies “in the wind” is explained by the ending of first names with “biblical sounds” which have also experienced real growth since the end of the 90s.
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The Ismaël, who we often associate with the first name Ismaïl, are courageous boys, who are not afraid to move forward and who are full of curiosity. They love to go on adventures and are very determined to get what they want no matter what means they have to use. They are independent people who are enough for their own company, so they are very resourceful and fearless. Borrowing dynamism, they are never tired and are very motivated in everything they do. IF you want to add a bit of originality to the first name, there are many variations such as Esmaël, Ismayil or even Ismaïla.