UK girl's name
Ismahan
A feminine Arabic name derived from "Isma" meaning "praise" or "exaltation".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ismahan is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ismahan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 8 births.
This profile covers 57 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 1999 to 2021. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 57 living people in the UK are called Ismahan. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ismahan ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 8 girls were registered as Ismahan.
- • About 57 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ismahan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5581
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
8 births
Estimated living
57
2026
Meaning
What does Ismahan mean?
The name Ismahan is of Arabic origin, derived from the combination of two words: 'Isma' meaning 'protection' and 'Han' meaning 'grace' or 'mercy'. It can be traced back to the early Islamic period and is believed to have been first used in the Middle East and North Africa regions.
While the exact origins of the name are uncertain, some scholars suggest that it may have been inspired by the name of the Prophet Muhammad's daughter, Fatima al-Zahra, who was known for her grace and piety. The name Ismahan gained popularity among Muslim communities as a way to honor her legacy.
The earliest recorded use of the name Ismahan can be found in historical texts from the 8th century CE, where it was mentioned as the name of a prominent female figure in the Abbasid court. However, it is likely that the name existed and was used even before this time, as naming traditions were well-established in the region.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ismahan. One of the earliest was Ismahan bint Abi Jafar al-Mansur (785-850 CE), a renowned poet and scholar who was highly respected in the Abbasid court. Another famous Ismahan was Ismahan Khatun (1057-1098 CE), a princess of the Seljuk Empire who was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for scholars and artists.
During the Ottoman Empire, Ismahan was the name of a prominent concubine and later wife of Sultan Murad III (1546-1595 CE). She was known for her beauty and intelligence, and played an influential role in the Ottoman court.
In more recent times, Ismahan al-Hashimi (1918-2001) was an Iraqi princess and author who wrote extensively about her experiences growing up in the royal family. Her memoirs provide valuable insights into the lives of women in the Middle East during the early 20th century.
Another notable Ismahan was Ismahan Bayoudh (1913-2003), a Tunisian singer and actress who was a pioneering figure in the Arabic music and film industries. She was known for her powerful voice and her performances in several classic Egyptian and Tunisian films.
These are just a few examples of the many remarkable individuals who have borne the name Ismahan throughout history, showcasing its enduring appeal and rich cultural significance across various regions and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ismahan over time
The chart below shows babies named Ismahan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ismahan, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ismahan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ismahan 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 | #5581 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4679 | 13 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3813 | 36 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2770 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ismahan
- 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
Ismahan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ismahan in the UK right now?
In 2021, Ismahan was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ismahan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 8 babies registered as Ismahan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ismahan?
A feminine Arabic name derived from "Isma" meaning "praise" or "exaltation".
How many people are called Ismahan in the UK?
A total of 57 babies have been registered as Ismahan across the 13 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.