Ismail

Part of speech: noun, proper noun

Definitions

1. A prominent given name in various cultures, often linked to historical or religious figures
2. A common male name with Arabic roots, associated with significant biblical and Quranic characters
3. An important name in Islamic tradition and heritage, symbolizing lineage and legacy

Etymology: Ismail is the Arabic form of the Hebrew name Ishmael, and the two English words are doublets: the same name arriving by different routes. Ishmael came into English through the Bible, where he is Abraham's son by Hagar, while Ismail reached English directly from Arabic, carrying the Quranic tradition, in which Ismail is revered as a prophet and as the ancestor of the Arabs. The Arabic form keeps the Hebrew name's shape but reflects Arabic sound patterns and spelling. Because it names a figure central to Islam, it is a common name among Muslims across the Arabic-speaking world and beyond, from Turkey and Persia to South Asia and West Africa. Its meaning is traditionally given as "God hears," from the Hebrew roots behind the biblical name.

Synonyms: Ishmael