NomOrigine Background

Origin and meaning of the name Ismaila

What is the origin of the name Ismaila?

The name Ismaila has its roots in Arabic and Islamic history. It is a variant of the name Isma'il, which means "God hears" or "listener to God." The name appears prominently in Islamic tradition as the son of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and the ancestor of Prophet Muhammad, through his mother Hajar. In Islam, Ismail is considered a prophet and the father of the Arabian tribe from which the Prophet Muhammad hailed. The name Ismaila can be found in various forms across Africa, particularly in West African countries with strong Islamic influences such as Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, and Gambia.

Unlock and discover the hidden secrets of the first name Ismaila

Unlock the Secrets of Your First Name Now

For only 3.95 $, you get:

  • Full access for 7 days
  • Unlimited access to all name and surname profiles
  • High-quality Origin Certificate
  • Download: Keep a precious memory with your origins downloadable in PDF format.
  • Unlimited search
  • Ad-Free: Enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
  • ✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
Unlock the Secrets of Your First Name Now
🎁 Special offer today: 3.95 $ instead of 6.95 $
⏳ This exclusive offer expires in:

✅ 15-Day Money-Back Satisfaction Guarantee!

What our users say

“I discovered fascinating details about my family history. This service is amazing for tracing our roots!” - Jean D.

“This site strengthened our sense of family belonging by uncovering our origins. Highly recommended!” - Marie L.

“The information was detailed and accurate. I learned interesting facts about my ancestors. A must-have!” - Paul S.

✅ Join the 5,000+ people who have already discovered the fascinating history of their last name!

Discover my first name's origin now

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What will I discover by exploring my last name?
Answer: You will discover the geographical origin, etymology, and unique history of your last name. You can also explore family traditions and historical events connected to it.

Question: How long does it take to access the information?
Answer: Once your payment is confirmed, access is instant. You can start exploring right away.

Question: Are the details about my last name accurate?
Answer: Our data comes from extensive research in reliable archives and historical databases. While we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, we strive to provide the most complete and precise information possible.

Payment Information

or pay by card

By clicking 'Confirm my payment', you agree to our refund policy, accessible via this link: Refund Policy, as well as our cancellation policy accessible via this link: Cancellation Policy

Learn more about the origin of the name Ismaila

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Ismaila

The name Ismaila is an African variation of the Arabic name Isma'il, which means "God hears" or "listens." It is derived from the name Ishmael, who was the firstborn son of Abraham and Hagar in Islamic tradition. In Islam, Ishmael is considered the father of the Arab people. The name Ismaila has been popularized among many African communities due to its ties with Islam and the Middle East. It is most prevalent in West Africa, particularly in countries like Nigeria and Ghana, but can also be found in other parts of the continent. The name carries a strong religious significance and is often given to boys born into Islamic families as a nod to Ishmael's important role in their faith.

Character traits associated with the name Ismaila

Ismaila, a name originating from the Arabic world, is often associated with individuals who possess qualities such as wisdom, patience, and resilience. Named after the prophet Ishmael, the name embodies a deep connection to spirituality and knowledge. Ismailas are typically known for their strong sense of family values, demonstrating loyalty and compassion towards their loved ones. They are also strategic thinkers, displaying a thoughtful and analytical approach to problem-solving. Ismailas often show leadership abilities, inspiring those around them through their dedication and perseverance. However, they can sometimes be perceived as quiet or reserved, preferring to listen and observe before speaking. Overall, Ismaila is a name that signifies wisdom, strength, and a deep-rooted sense of family and spirituality.

Popularity of the name Ismaila

The name Ismaila is widely recognized across various regions, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, where it originates from Arabic roots meaning "born of Isaac." This name carries significant historical and cultural importance, stemming from the Islamic tradition. However, its popularity varies geographically. In some countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Gambia, Ismaila ranks among the top 100 most common male names due to the large Muslim populations in these regions. In contrast, the name is less prevalent in Western nations, although it has gained modest recognition in recent years as multiculturalism increases and more people seek unique and meaningful names for their children. Overall, Ismaila remains a popular choice among families who value its rich history and cultural significance.

Famous people with the name Ismaila

Ismaila Da Costa (born 1983), a professional footballer from Cape Verde, has played for various European clubs including Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur. In the sports world, Ismaila Mballo, born in Cameroon, is also recognized as a successful basketball player who played professionally in Europe and North America. Additionally, Ismaila Samba (born 1962), a Senegalese academic and politician, served as the Secretary-General of La Francophonie from 2014 to 2019. Lastly, Ismaila Alfa (1852-1924) was a prominent African-American educator who founded the first historically black college in the District of Columbia, Miner Normal School, now known as Miner Teachers College.

Variations of the name Ismaila

The name Ismaila has several variants and spellings, depending on regional pronunciation and cultural context. Some common variations include:

* Ishmael (a more commonly known spelling in English-speaking countries)
* Isma'il
* Ismaël
* Ismoil
* Ismajl
* Izmail
* Esmail or Esméail (used mainly in Persian-speaking regions and the Middle East)
* Ishmaelito (a diminutive form used in Brazilian Portuguese)
* Ismailah, Izmaili, Ismailiyya (Arabic plural forms of the name)

Regardless of spelling or regional pronunciation, all these variations share the same origin: they are derived from the Arabic word "Ishma'il" (إِسْمَاعِيل), which comes from the Hebrew "Ishmael" (אִשְׁמַעֵאל). The name is traditionally associated with Ishmael, the first-born son of Abraham and Hagar in Islamic and Judeo-Christian religious texts.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

Isma (First name)

forenames > isma

The name Isma has origins rooted in several cultures and religions. In Arabic, it is a contraction of the name Muhammad (Mohammed) used as a diminutive or pet form for boys named M...

Ismaciil axmed (First name)

forenames > ismaciil-axmed

The name Ismaciil Ahmed originates from Arabic and Somali cultures. "Ismaciil" is the Arabic form of the name Ishmael, meaning "God will hear" in reference to the biblical figure. ...

Ismaial dariya (First name)

forenames > ismaial-dariya

The name Ismaial Dariya appears to be a combination of Arabic and Russian names. Ismaial likely has origins in Arabic, meaning "God will hear", while Dariya is a Russian name meani...

Ismail aail (First name)

forenames > ismail-aail

The name Ismail is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the name of the prophet Isma'il in Islamic tradition. "Aail" does not have a clear origin in English, as it is not a common ...

Ismail ji (First name)

forenames > ismail-ji

The name Ismail has Arabic origin. It is derived from the name of the prophet Ishmael in the Bible and Quran. "Ji" is a common suffix added to names in some cultures to show respec...

Ismail k (First name)

forenames > ismail-k

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Ismail modal (First name)

forenames > ismail-modal

The name Ismail originates from Arabic and Islamic tradition. It is derived from the name of the prophet Ishmael in the Bible and the Quran.

Ismail shaikh (First name)

forenames > ismail-shaikh

The name Ismail Shaikh is of Arabic origin. Ismail is a variant of the name Ishmael, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yishma'el meaning "God hears" or "God will hear". Shaikh ...

Ismailansari (First name)

forenames > ismailansari

The first name Ismailansari appears to have originated from the combination of the names Ismail and Ansari. Ismail is of Arabic origin meaning "God will hear" or "hearing" while An...

Ismailkhalifa (First name)

forenames > ismailkhalifa

The name Ismail can be of Arabic origin, derived from the name of the prophet in the Quran, Ishmael. Khalifa is also of Arabic origin, meaning "successor" or "caliph."

Ismar (First name)

forenames > ismar

The name Ismar is of various origins and can be found in different cultures. 1. Arabic: In Arabic, the name Ismar (إسمار) is derived from the word "ism," which means "name."...

Ismaril (First name)

forenames > ismaril

The origin of the first name Ismaril is Arabic.

Ismée (First name)

forenames > ismee

The origin of the first name "Ismee" is not clear or widely known. It does not have a specific origin or meaning in any widely recognized language or culture. It is possible that i...

Ismeldo (First name)

forenames > ismeldo

The name Ismeldo is of Spanish origin. It is a variation of the name Ismael, which is of Hebrew origin and means "God has heard."

Ismet (First name)

forenames > ismet

The first name Ismet originates from Turkish and Arabic languages. It means "honor" or "dignity."