Origin and Meaning of Ishmeal

God will hear

Origin: Hebrew - Derived from the Hebrew name Yishma'el, where 'Yishma' means 'he will hear' and 'El' means 'God'. It is often interpreted within the context of the biblical story of Abraham.

• Ishmael is a significant figure in the Bible, known as the first son of Abraham and Hagar, and is often viewed as a patriarch in both Judaism and Islam.
• In Islamic tradition, Ishmael (Isma'il) is considered a prophet and is revered as the ancestor of the Arab people, with many Islamic texts detailing his importance.
• Famous references to Ishmael in literature include the character Ishmael in Herman Melville's novel 'Moby-Dick', who serves as the narrator of the story.
• The name Ishmael has fluctuated in popularity over the years but has seen a resurgence in recent decades, especially in literary and religious contexts.
• Variations of Ishmael include Ismail (Arabic), Ishmael (English), and Ismaël (French), reflecting its widespread use across cultures.