UK girl's name
Isma
An Arabic feminine name meaning "safeguarded by God".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Isma is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Isma popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1819, with 16 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 31 births.
This profile covers 441 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 52% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 439 living people in the UK are called Isma. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Isma ranked #1819 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 16 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 31 girls were registered as Isma.
- • About 439 living people in the UK are estimated to have Isma as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1819
2024
Births in 2024
16
Latest year
Peak year
2012
31 births
Estimated living
439
2026
Meaning
What does Isma mean?
The name Isma has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, with its roots dating back to the 7th century. It is derived from the Arabic word "isma," which means "protection" or "safety." The name is closely associated with the Islamic faith and is believed to have originated during the time of the Prophet Muhammad.
Isma was a common name among the early followers of Islam, as it embodied the principles of seeking protection and refuge in God. In the Quran, the sacred text of Islam, the concept of seeking protection from God is mentioned numerous times, and the name Isma reflects this spiritual significance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Isma can be found in the historical accounts of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled from 750 to 1258 CE. During this period, several prominent figures bore the name, including Isma ibn Musa, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century.
Throughout the centuries, the name Isma has been carried by various notable individuals across different regions and cultures influenced by Islam. For example, Isma'il I was the founder of the Safavid dynasty, which ruled over Persia (modern-day Iran) from 1501 to 1736. His name, Isma'il, is a variation of Isma and holds great historical significance in the region.
Another prominent figure with the name Isma was Isma'il al-Jazari, a renowned Muslim polymath, inventor, and engineer who lived in the 12th century. He is credited with creating numerous innovative mechanical devices and is considered a pioneer in the field of engineering.
In the realm of literature, Isma'il Kadare, born in 1936, is a renowned Albanian novelist and poet who has gained international acclaim for his works exploring themes of totalitarianism, history, and human nature.
Additionally, Isma'il Raji al-Faruqi, born in 1921, was a Palestinian-American philosopher and prominent figure in the field of Islamic studies. He made significant contributions to the understanding and promotion of Islamic thought and culture in the Western world.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Isma throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual heritage associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Isma over time
The chart below shows babies named Isma registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Isma, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 16 births in 2024, compared with 31 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Isma by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Isma was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2478 | 58 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2409 | 134 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1222 | 199 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1480 | 50 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Isma
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Isma: questions and answers
How popular is the name Isma in the UK right now?
In 2024, Isma was ranked #1819 for girls in England and Wales, with 16 births registered.
When was Isma most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 31 babies registered as Isma in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Isma?
An Arabic feminine name meaning "safeguarded by God".
How many people are called Isma in the UK?
A total of 441 babies have been registered as Isma across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.