Ismail

Ismail is a male given name of Arabic origin, from the Qur'anic name Ismāʿīl, commonly interpreted as "God will hear" or "God has heard." The name is widely used across the Arab world and in Muslim communities worldwide. Variants include Ismail, Esmail, Esmāʿīl, İsmail, and Ishmael in English contexts.

In Islamic tradition, Ismail (Ismāʿīl) is the elder son of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Hajar (Hagar). He is regarded as a prophet or messenger and, with his father, is said to have helped rebuild the Kaaba in Mecca. Ismail is considered an ancestor of many Arab peoples, and his story emphasizes obedience and trust in God.

In Jewish and Christian scriptures, Ishmael is described as the son of Abraham and Hagar; he is the progenitor of the Ishmaelites. He is generally not regarded as a prophet in these traditions.

As a given name, Ismail remains common in many regions, and notable people named Ismail include the Albanian writer Ismail Kadare and the Djiboutian politician Ismail Omar Guelleh.