Ishmael

I find this name quite odd. Definitely wouldn’t use.

Makes me think of Moby Dick and “Call me Ishmael”. That being said, it’s a lovely name.

My parents named me Ismaila because I came from a muslim home. Today I am named Ishmael after my baptism with the catholic. Whatever the case, muslim or christian; the name is giving much luck! Wow! I enjoy it as said above!

I think the name Ishmael is a good, solid, strong, smart-sounding name that ages very well. :) The name seems pretty underused. I love it's meaning! :D.

I really like the meaning of Ishmael, "God will hear." Sarah and Abraham were waiting so long for a child and God did hear them... But his promise was not for Ishmael, but for Isaac, and Ishmael and Hagar were sent away, they were outcasts. Sometimes Ishmael is used as another term for "outcast," and that's the association I make with that name so I would never use it for my offspring (even if I do love the literal meaning).

I don't like this name. It doesn't sound very attractive. No offense, but it will arouse the anger of Jews and fundamentalist Christians, for the biblical Ishmael is vilified in those religions.

I'm sorry, but I think you may have Christians and Jews confused with Puritans. Puritans are the people who named their children Humiliation and Lament because they felt names from the Bible (like John and Mary) were 'too holy' for use. They were kicked out of England by regular Christians, who were creeped out and annoyed by the fatalistic Puritans. Oh, and they eventually died out. Regular Christians and Jews will not burn you at the stake or blow their fuse for using the name Ishmael, so please take your anti-Judeo-Christian sentiment somewhere else.
Now, on my opinions of the name- I think it's an awesome name and I would use it, mostly because I love Moby Dick, and 'Call me Ishmael' is possibly the most epic opening line to ever come out of American literature.

Beautiful name! Love Ish, for short.

This name is really majestic, only it sounds a bit weird. It reminds me of the bible, probably because it is biblical, and it also reminds me of the name Isaac.

I love this name! It is the name of 6 persons in the Old Testament. However, it is often mispronounced.