Ishmeal: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	17	2	–	#2,819
1920s	37	4	+118%	#3,291
1930s	12	1	-68%	#3,013
1940s	11	1	-8%	#3,378
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	10	1	–	#4,328
1970s	5	1	-50%	#5,036
1980s	41	4	+720%	#4,260
1990s	91	9	+122%	#4,541
2000s	58	6	-36%	#6,640
2010s	19	2	-67%	#10,082
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,819

1920s

+118%

#3,291

1930s

-68%

#3,013

1940s

-8%

#3,378

1950s

–

1960s

–

#4,328

1970s

-50%

#5,036

1980s

+720%

#4,260

1990s

+122%

#4,541

2000s

-36%

#6,640

2010s

-67%

#10,082

2020s (to 2025)

–

The story of Ishmeal

Ishmeal is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1916, 301 American babies have been named Ishmeal. Its peak came in 1997, when 14 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ishmeal stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Ishmeal?

The median living Ishmeal is about 29 years old; half are between 22 and 36. An estimated 200 people named Ishmeal are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Ishmeal year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	7	#10,119
2016	–	–
2015	5	#12,825
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	7	#10,082
2009	5	#13,207
2008	5	#13,301
2007	5	#13,097
2006	9	#8,270
2005	5	#12,118
2004	6	#10,475
2003	6	#10,060
2002	–	–
2001	10	#6,640
2000	7	#8,549
1995	10	#5,660
1990	8	#6,061
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	5	#5,036
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ishmeal, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Ishmeal?

The median living Ishmeal is about 29 years old. Half of all living Ishmeals are between 22 and 36 years old.

How many people named Ishmeal are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Ishmeal are alive in the United States, based on 301 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Ishmeal in 2025?

Ishmeal did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Ishmeal?

301 babies have been named Ishmeal in the United States since 1916, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ishmeal most popular?

Ishmeal peaked in 1997, when 14 newborns received the name.

Is Ishmeal a boy or girl name?

Ishmeal is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Ishmeal rising or falling?

Ishmeal is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Ishmeal

Ishmeal popularity over time

The story of Ishmeal

How old are people named Ishmeal?

Ishmeal year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Ishmeal