| Meaning | God will hear |
| Origin | Arabic, Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 6 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | Is-mail |
Distinguished and internationally recognized, Ismail represents a powerful choice for parents seeking a name with global resonance and timeless appeal. The four syllables create a stately, formal quality that commands respect while remaining warm and approachable. This name travels exceptionally well across borders and cultures, maintaining its integrity and recognition in diverse settings. Ismail carries weight and presence without feeling heavy or cumbersome—it's substantial in all the right ways. The clear pronunciation and phonetic spelling eliminate potential confusion, making it practical despite its distinctive character. Parents choosing Ismail often appreciate its balance of tradition and contemporary relevance, its ability to honor heritage while fitting perfectly in modern contexts. The name suggests someone of substance and character, projecting confidence and cultural awareness. It's neither too common nor too obscure, occupying that ideal middle ground.
| Izzy |
| Ish |
| Smiley |
| Mal |
| Ismail Kadare | Prominent Albanian writer and novelist |
| Ismail Haniyeh | Political leader, Prime Minister of Palestine |
| Ismail Merchant | Indian film producer and director |
| Ismail Omar Guelleh | President of Djibouti |
| Ismail Ahmed | Founder of WorldRemit, a digital money transfer company |
| Ismail Sabri Yaakob | Prime Minister of Malaysia |
| Ismail Serageldin | Egyptian economist and former Vice President of the World Bank |
| Ismail Akwei | Ghanaian journalist and editor |
| Ismail Mahomed | South African jurist and human rights activist |
| Ismail Slović | Bosnian-Herzegovinian footballer |
| Ismail Yasin | Egyptian actor and comedian |
| Ismail Morina | Albanian boxer and Olympian |
| Ismail Türüt | Turkish folk singer and musician |
| Ismail Ibn Sharif | Ruler of Morocco during the 17th century |
| Ismail Ahmed Abdulle | Somali diplomat and politician |
| Ismail Gaspirali | Prominent Crimean Tatar intellectual and publisher |
| Ismail Cem | Turkish journalist and politician |
| Ismail Qemali | Albanian politician, leader of the Albanian national movement |
| Ismail I | Founder of the Safavid dynasty in Persia - Iran |
| Ismail Enver Pasha | Ottoman military officer and leader |
| Ismail Suleiman | Character from the novel "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini |
| Ismail Amir Muhammad | Character from the movie "Perempuan, Isteri, dan Jalang" - Women, Wives, and Whores |
| Ismail Karatepe | Character from the Turkish TV series "Kara Sevda" - Endless Love |
| Ismail Sadiq | Character from the Pakistani TV drama "Ishq Tamasha" |
| Ismail El-Ibrahim | Character from the novel "Children of the Alley" by Naguib Mahfouz |
| Ismail Yassine | Character from the Egyptian comedy film "Ismail Yassine in the Navy" |
| Ismail Bibi | Character from the Pakistani drama series "Baandi" |
| Ismail Hashim | Character from the Malaysian film "Mukhsin" |
| Ismail Mohamed | Character from the novel "Desert" by Le Clézio |