UK boy's name
Ismet
A masculine Turkish name meaning patient, obedient, or compliant.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ismet is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ismet popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4747, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1999 to 2015. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Ismet. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ismet ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 boys were registered as Ismet.
- • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ismet as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4747
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
15
2026
Meaning
What does Ismet mean?
The name Ismet originates from the Turkish language and culture, with its roots dating back to the Ottoman Empire era. It is derived from the Arabic word "ismat," which means "purity" or "chastity."
In Islamic tradition, the concept of ismat is closely associated with the infallibility of prophets and religious leaders. The name may have been given to children as a way of expressing the hope that they would embody these virtues.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Ismet can be found in the works of Ottoman scholars and historians from the 16th and 17th centuries. It was a relatively common name among the ruling elite and literary circles of the time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ismet. One of the most prominent figures was Ismet Inönü (1884-1973), a Turkish military officer and statesman who served as the second President of Turkey from 1938 to 1950. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic.
Another historical figure was Ismet Pasha (1804-1846), an Ottoman military commander and statesman who served as the Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) of the Ottoman Empire from 1840 to 1841. He was known for his efforts to modernize the Ottoman military and administrative structures.
In the literary realm, Ismet Özel (1944-2022) was a renowned Turkish poet, novelist, and essayist. He was widely acclaimed for his contributions to contemporary Turkish literature and received numerous awards and honors throughout his career.
Ismet Güney (1924-2003) was a prominent Turkish film director and screenwriter. He is considered one of the pioneers of Turkish cinema and directed several critically acclaimed films during the 1960s and 1970s.
Ismet Sezgin (1927-2016) was a Turkish engineer and politician who served as the Minister of Public Works and Housing in Turkey from 1973 to 1977. He played a significant role in the development of Turkey's infrastructure and housing projects during his tenure.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Ismet. The name continues to be used in Turkey and among Turkish communities worldwide, carrying with it a rich cultural and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ismet over time
The chart below shows babies named Ismet registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ismet, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ismet by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ismet 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 | #4713 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3492 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ismet
- Isaac 49,129
- Ibrahim 14,115
- Ismail 4,679
- Isaiah 4,629
- Idris 3,810
- Ivan 3,146
- Isa 2,943
- Ian 2,805
- Ilyas 2,552
- Ieuan 2,515
- Ibraheem 2,384
- Ioan 2,295
FAQ
Ismet: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ismet in the UK right now?
In 2015, Ismet was ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ismet most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Ismet in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ismet?
A masculine Turkish name meaning patient, obedient, or compliant.
How many people are called Ismet in the UK?
A total of 15 babies have been registered as Ismet across the 5 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.