NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Ismat

A feminine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "chastity" or "purity".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Ismat is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ismat popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 6 births.

This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2001 to 2017. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Ismat. 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 2018 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Ismat ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 6 girls were registered as Ismat.
  • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ismat as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5765

2017

Births in 2017

3

Latest year

Peak year

2010

6 births

Estimated living

22

2026

Meaning

What does Ismat mean?

The name Ismat has its roots in the Arabic language, originating from the word "'isma" which means "purity" or "chastity." It holds deep cultural and religious significance in the Islamic tradition, reflecting virtues highly valued in the faith.

The earliest recorded use of the name Ismat can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the nascent years of Islam. It was a name given to both males and females, symbolizing a desire for purity and spiritual integrity.

In Islamic theology, the concept of 'Ismat' is closely associated with the infallibility and sinlessness of prophets and imams. It is believed that these divinely appointed leaders were endowed with a state of purity, protecting them from committing sins or making errors in conveying the divine message.

One of the earliest and most prominent figures to bear the name Ismat was Ismat al-Kubra, a revered female scholar and mystic who lived in Damascus during the 8th century CE. She was renowned for her deep knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and her contributions to the spiritual teachings of Sufism.

Another notable person with the name Ismat was Ismat Chughtai, a celebrated Urdu novelist and short story writer from British India, who lived from 1915 to 1944. Her works explored themes of female empowerment, social injustice, and the complexities of human relationships, earning her a prominent place in the literary canon of the subcontinent.

In the realm of scholarship and academia, Ismat Hussain Faruqi, an eminent Indian scholar and linguist who lived from 1925 to 2022, made significant contributions to the study of Urdu and Persian languages. His extensive research and publications on literary criticism and language pedagogy have left a lasting impact on the field.

Ismat Ara, an Indian classical singer and Padma Shri awardee, born in 1930, is renowned for her mastery of the Khyal and Thumri genres of Hindustani classical music. Her melodious voice and captivating performances have earned her a revered status in the world of Indian classical music.

Another noteworthy figure is Ismat Qudratullah, a Pakistani politician and activist who lived from 1920 to 2009. She played a pivotal role in the women's rights movement in Pakistan, advocating for equal rights, education, and empowerment of women in her country.

These examples illustrate the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who have borne the name Ismat throughout history, reflecting the cultural and religious roots of this name and its association with purity, virtue, and excellence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ismat over time

The chart below shows babies named Ismat registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Ismat, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Ismat
02356200120092017

Decades

Ismat by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ismat 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
2010s #5240 15 4
2000s #4409 7 2

Related

Names similar to Ismat

FAQ

Ismat: questions and answers

How popular is the name Ismat in the UK right now?

In 2017, Ismat was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Ismat most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 6 babies registered as Ismat in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ismat?

A feminine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "chastity" or "purity".

How many people are called Ismat in the UK?

A total of 22 babies have been registered as Ismat across the 6 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.