| Ismail | Bilal | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Arabic form of Ishmael | moisture, freshness |
| Origin | arabic | arabic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | is-maa-EEL | bi-LAAL |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 0 |
| Peak year | 2025 (204) | 2018 (195) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| Trend | Rising | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Ismail | Bilal |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 872 | 981 |
| 2010s | 1,349 | 1,580 |
| 2000s | 860 | 1,419 |
| 1990s | 544 | 1,071 |
| 1980s | 247 | 553 |
| 1970s | 138 | 236 |
| 1960s | 12 | 18 |
The Arabic form of the prophet Ishmael (Isma'il), of Hebrew origin (Yishma'el, 'God will hear' or 'God hears'). The Arabic form does not derive from a native Arabic root; Ismail is the son of Ibrahim in Islamic tradition. Also spelled Ismael, Ismaeel.
From the root b-l-l (ب-ل-ل, 'to moisten, to wet'), understood as 'moisture, wetting, freshness'. Famously borne by Bilal ibn Rabah, the Abyssinian companion of the Prophet and Islam's first muezzin.
Ismail and Bilal are given to a similar number of US babies today.
Ismail means Arabic form of Ishmael (arabic origin), while Bilal means moisture, freshness (arabic origin).
In US records, Ismail first appears in 0 and Bilal in 0, so Ismail has the longer recorded history.