Surname Ismail - Meaning and Origin
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Ismail: What does the surname Ismail mean?
Ismail is an Arabic origin surname derived from the name 'Isma'il', which was the Arabic form of biblical Ishmael. The name Ishmael is derived from two Hebrew words: ish (which means “man”) and ma'el (which means “God hears”). Thus, the full meaning of Isma'il is “God hears.” Isma'il is believed to be the son of Abraham and the ancestor of the Ishmaelite clan and the Arab people.
The surname Ismail is commonly found in both Muslim and Jewish families, in countries such as Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Egypt, and India. In the United States, Ismail is sometimes Americanized to Isom or Ishmael. It is also found throughout Central Asia, India, South Africa, and the Middle East.
The Ismaili branch of Shia Islam is also named after the surname Isma'il. This sect of Shia Islam emphasizes the Islamic prophets descended from Ismail and claims him to be the final Imam. Many members of this sect hold the surname Isma'il, or some derived form of this name.
The surname Ismail is an honorific name for Muslims and a reminder of the importance of Ismail in spirituality. It carries a sense of belonging to a rich tradition and heritage. For Jews, the name Ismail is associated with the ancient prophet and serves as an honorific reminder of their history and connection to Abraham.
Order DNA origin analysisIsmail: Where does the name Ismail come from?
The surname Ismail is most commonly found in countries with Muslim-majority populations, especially within the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe. It is one of the most popular surnames in world's Muslim population, ranking three spots behind Mohammed (the most popular) and the second-most common variant of Ishmael.
In India, it is a fairly common surname among both Hindus and Muslims. The name Ismail is derived from the Hebrew name Ismael, which is also the Arabic form Isma'il. The name Ismail was associated with the greatness of Ishmael, the son of Abraham in the Old Testament.
In Pakistan, Ismail is a popular surname among both Muslim and Hindu populations. It is widely used for both boys and girls. In the United Arab Emirates, the Ismail surname is popular. In the East African countries of Tanzania and Kenya, the name Ismail is also a popular surname among the Arab and Somali populations.
The Ismail surname is also found in parts of Eastern Europe such as Israel, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and even in some of the former Soviet republics like Ukraine. The surnames Ismaylova, Ismaylov, Ismailov, Ismaiyl, and others are slightly different spellings, but follow similar heritage.
Overall, the surname Ismail is a popular surname with strong cultural and religious ties. It is a strongly held family name that follows the provenance of the prophet Ishmael, a revered figure in the Islamic faith.
Variations of the surname Ismail
The surname Ismail is a popular Muslim name dating as far back to the Arabian Peninsula. It means “God has heard” and is a variant of Ismael, the son of Abraham in the Old Testament. It was one of the earliest Middle Eastern names to travel west and there are many spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Common variant spellings include Ismaili, Esmaili, Ismaily, Ismayl, and Ismailly. Less common variants include Eismaili, Ismayel, Ismiley, and Ismala. Each of these spellings are from the same root.
Surnames that trace back to this name include Eusmeil, Esemiel, Osmail, Eismail, Esmal, and Ysmallah. Many of these surnames derived from the root Ismail, with slight spelling variations over time. Other surnames include the Arabic Emiral, meaning “prince”, and Esmull, which means “sweeter” or “beloved”.
While the ancestor name “Ismail” is known to have originated from the Muslim culture, over time it has spread across many other cultures. For example, It is a common name amongst Arab Jews and Asian, African, and Eastern European peoples. It is also popularly found in India and Pakistan as the Hindu name Ishal. Ultimately, the many variants of Ismail are a testament to its spread and popularity.
Famous people with the name Ismail
- Ismail Haniyeh: Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority
- Ismail Sabri Yaakob: Malaysian politician, former Minister of Defense
- Ismail Khan: Afghan warlord and politician
- Ismail Yassine: Tunisian film director and screenwriter
- Ismail Omar Guelleh: President of Djibouti
- Ismail Merchant: Indian film producer
- Ismail Abdul Rahman: Malaysian politician and former foreign minister
- Ismail Kaso: Iraqi footballer
- Ismail Darbar: Indian composer, conductor and violinist
- Ismail Marzuki: Indonesian composer and songwriter
- Ismail Raji al-Faruqi: Palestinian philosopher, professor at Temple University
- Ismail Jeilani: Somali singer-songwriter
- Ismail Hamed: Danish professional footballer
- Ismail Fahd Ismail: Kuwaiti poet
- Ismail Kemal: Ottoman Grand Vizier