How Many People Are Named Ishmael?
Complete statistics for the name Ishmael: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Ishmael, a very rare male name, stands out with just 1 in 59,660 Americans bearing it. That's around 5,531 people today, making it quite unique. The name peaked in popularity in 2017, showing it's still gaining traction among younger parents.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Traditionally, the life-path number 4 represents stability and hard work.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 37All 6,671 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 2017Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Slowly rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Ishmael Through the Generations
Ishmael has seen a steady rise in popularity over recent years, with its peak occurring in 2017 when 158 babies were given this name. Today, the majority of people named Ishmael are under 30, indicating that it's becoming more popular among new generations. With an average age of 37, Ishmael is a relatively young name, suggesting it will continue to grow in usage.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Ishmael's Hebrew roots
📄 About the Name Ishmael
How Many People Have the Name Ishmael?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 2,725 people in the United States currently share the name Ishmael. That works out to roughly 1 in every 121,633 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Ishmael a Common or Rare Name?
Ishmael is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Ishmael in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Ishmael Most Popular?
The name Ishmael reached peak popularity in 2017, with 158 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Ishmael?
Approximately 2,725 people named Ishmael live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 2,725. That works out to roughly 1 in 121,633 Americans.
Is Ishmael a rare name?
Ishmael is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 121,633 Americans has this name.
What does the name Ishmael mean?
The meaning and origin of Ishmael are shown in the Meaning & Origin section on this page.
Is Ishmael more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Ishmael are male and 0% are female.
When was Ishmael most popular?
Ishmael peaked in 2017 with 158 births that year. Current trend: Slowly rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.