Ishmael m
Biblical name borne by Abraham's first son, the offspring of his barren wife's maidservant Hagar. It is composed of Hebrew elements meaning ‘to hearken’ and ‘God’; an angel told Hagar ‘Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction’ (Genesis 16: 11). The name is hardly ever used in the English-speaking world. In Islamic tradition, Ishmael or Ismail is believed to have been the ancestor of the Arabs.
First names dictionary. 2012.