Isaac

maleBiblical Hebrew, transmitted into English via Greek Isaak and Late Latin Isaac

Traditionally understood as 'he will laugh' or 'he laughs', tied to the biblical narrative in which Abraham and Sarah laugh at the prophecy of Isaac's birth in their old age.

Origin: Biblical Hebrew, transmitted into English via Greek Isaak and Late Latin Isaac

Official popularity data is available for 7 regions, from 1964 to 2025. Highest recorded position: #8 in New South Wales, Australia in 2015. See regions.

Isaac: Recorded since 1964, it reached #8 in 2015, and it was still inside the top 100 in 2025.

7registrars recorded it
215times a registrar ranked it
62years from first to last
#8highest recorded position
35groupings it qualifies for
37names it appears alongside

What stands out in Isaac's record

Held a top-100 place for 42 years running. Names by top-100 run
England and Wales registered 2,829 births with the name in 2015, its largest count from any one registrar. Names by yearly birth count
Held at least one birth in every 2,000 for 29 years. Names by sustained share
Appears alongside 37 other names across 8 kinds of recorded relationship. All recorded relationships

EYE-zək/ˈaɪzək/

Compare Isaac Run Name Checker on Isaac

Data Confidence

Evidence: ModerateCompleteness: SubstantialEditorial review: 2026-07-21

Confidence in the evidencebehind this name's data — never a rating of the name itself, and never affected by how well it matches your preferences. How this is assessed

Because: backed by officially or academically authoritative sources, recently verified, popularity data covers multiple regions.

Source authority

Averaged from the real per-claim source-authority assessments already computed for this name's meaning/origin/pronunciation/popularity evidence.

Independent corroboration

Averaged from the real per-claim supporting-source counts already computed for this name's evidence.

See full evidence assessment (8 dimensions, 1 not yet tracked)

Source agreement

No recorded source disagreement for this name's meanings or origins.

Recency

Calculated from how long ago this record was last verified (2026-07-21), against a 270-day staleness threshold.

Geographic relevance

Calculated from the number of geographies with official popularity data (7) — broader official coverage means the evidence base is relevant to more of where the name is actually used.

Completeness

Calculated from how many of the expected data sections (variants, similar names, popularity, notable usage, IPA pronunciation) are actually populated for this name.

Direct observation vs. inference

Averaged from the real per-claim direct-observation-vs-inference ratios already computed for this name's evidence.

Identity & variant resolution quality

Cross-source identity and variant resolution requires HEKNO Knowledge, which isn't connected yet.

Name Characteristics

How these are calculated

Descriptive attributes of the name itself — not a confidence measurement, and not an overall quality score. Namewise doesn't approve or disapprove of names.

Pronunciation clarity

Editorial judgement of how consistently this name is pronounced correctly on first read, mapped from an easy/moderate/variable rating to a number. Describes the name — not a measure of evidence confidence.

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling: shorter names with fewer irregular letter clusters score higher. A disclosed formula, not an editorial opinion — and not a confidence measurement.

Recorded regional spread

Derived from how many geographies' official statistics record this name. It measures where the name is registered, not how well-known it feels to people living there.

International spread

Derived from the same official statistical coverage, scaled to reflect how widely the name crosses national datasets. Not a measure of how easily it is understood in another language.

Trend stability

Derived from the name's traditional/modern classification and its current popularity trend direction.

Overview

Origin: Biblical Hebrew, transmitted into English via Greek Isaak and Late Latin Isaac
Meaning: Traditionally understood as 'he will laugh' or 'he laughs', tied to the biblical narrative in which Abraham and Sarah laugh at the prophecy of Isaac's birth in their old age.
Pronunciation: EYE-zək
Syllables: 2
Common nicknames: None recorded
Classification: Traditional & modern
Gender usage: male
Language family: Biblical Hebrew, transmitted into English via Greek Isaak and Late Latin Isaac

Popularity

Region

Rising

among boys in England and Wales · 1996–2025

View as table

England and Wales · Boys rank by year
Year	Rank
1996	#104
1997	#102
1998	#84
1999	#79
2000	#66
2001	#75
2002	#63
2003	#64
2004	#58
2005	#53
2006	#55
2007	#42
2008	#39
2009	#41
2010	#37
2011	#33
2012	#30
2013	#29
2014	#25
2015	#20
2016	#20
2017	#24
2018	#20
2019	#23
2020	#21
2021	#25
2022	#26
2023	#27
2024	#37
2025	#36

VerifiedSource: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales.Confidence: high.

See all England and Wales names · Source: Office for National Statistics — Baby Names in England and Wales

What the data shows

RisingEngland and Wales · Boys

Recorded in official data among boys in Republic of Ireland in 38 of the 62 years from 1964 to 2025.

In 2025: #26 among boys in New South Wales, Australia, #36 among boys in England and Wales, #104 among boys in Republic of Ireland, #251 among boys in Norway.

Official data from 7 national registrars across 7 regions, 1964–2025 · Office for National Statistics. Data sources

Popularity journey

First recorded1964
First recorded at #232 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1964 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #36 among boys in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Boys

Isaac appears in 6 of the published lists Namewise holds. The longest record is New Zealand · Boys, with 42 ranked years and 4,770 births registered; the earliest is Republic of Ireland · Boys, from 1964.

Isaac across 6 official records

Each registrar publishes its own list, so these figures are read down a row, never across one. A position in one country is not comparable with a position in another, and Namewise never combines them into a single ranking. The birth counts do not compare across rows either, for a different reason: England and Wales registers roughly thirty times as many births a year as Northern Ireland, so a larger total says which registrar recorded it as much as how widely the name was given.

Isaac's first, highest and most recent recorded position in each official list, with the number of births each registrar registered with the name and its largest single year
Published list	First recorded	Highest	Most recent	Years recorded	Births registered	Most in one year
Republic of Ireland · Boys	#232 (1964)	#77 (2014)	#104 (2025)	38 of 62	1,671 (1964–2025)	101 (2014)
Norway · Boys	#407 (1974)	#164 (2014)	#251 (2025)	41 of 52	538 (1974–2025)	36 (2014)
New Zealand · Boys	#90 (1981)	#17 (2010)	#46 (2023)	42 of 43	4,770 (1981–2023)	233 (2010)
New South Wales, Australia · Boys	#99 (1990)	#8 (2015)	#26 (2025)	35 of 36	8,863 (1990–2025)	417 (2013)
England and Wales · Boys	#104 (1996)	#20 (2015)	#36 (2025)	30 of 30	50,460 (1996–2025)	2,829 (2015)
Northern Ireland · Boys	#210 (1997)	#20 (2020)	#26 (2024)	28 of 28	1,386 (1997–2024)	89 (2016)

Isaac by decade in New Zealand · Boys

Births registered with the name in each decade of this one list, with the number of years the list covers in that decade. Bars are scaled on births a year, which is the figure that compares between decades — a decade the list only partly covers has a smaller total without being a quieter decade. Figures belong to this registrar alone and do not carry to another.

Births registered with Isaac in New Zealand · Boys, by decade, with years covered and the average per year
Decade	Births registered	Years covered	A year
1980s	489	8 of 10	61
1990s	1,125	10 of 10	113
2000s	1,346	10 of 10	135
2010sbusiest	1,486	10 of 10	149
2020s	324	4 of 10	81

Across New Zealand · Boys, the 2010s were its busiest decade, averaging 149 births a year.

Its sharpest single-year move came between 2008 and 2009, when recorded births rose by 56, from 123 to 179.

See the names New Zealandhas recorded the most births with →

Isaac appears in

Groupings this name qualifies for under their own stated rules, from the same official statistics shown above.

What the record shows

Recorded by 7 registrars between 1964 and 2025, ranked in 52 years of that period.

Its highest recorded position is #8, first reached in 2015.

It held a top-100 place in 44 years, 42 of them consecutive.

Its largest count from any one registrar is 2,829 births, registered in England and Wales in 2015.

1 registrar ranked it inside their own top 10.

Its record falls into 6 separate stretches, with a longest absence of 3 years.

A second registrar first ranked it in 1974, and 60 years separate the first registrar to record it from the last.

Every figure here is counted from the seven official registrars Namewise holds. A position is only ever a place within the list that published it, and a record that thins or stops is a fact about what registrars printed — never about how many children received the name.

Isaac was ranked #8 in New South Wales, Australia · Boys in 2015. These are the names immediately either side of it on that published list — a fact about the registrar's own output, not a similarity judgement.

Where to go next

Records with a comparable body of evidence, so the catalogue can be read outward from this one. Each group states the rule it was selected by.

Next in the catalogue

The records either side of this one alphabetically.

Is'haq · #2728, 10y
Isa · #170, 42y
Isaac-James · #1869, 13y
Isaak · #983, 30y

A comparable record

Records held by the same 7 registrars, over a similar number of ranked years, whose highest position is closest to this one. A similar body of evidence — never a claim that the names themselves are alike.

Elsie · #8, 47y
Levi · #8, 48y
Zoe · #8, 57y
Ryan · #2, 55y

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Records whose earliest ranking in Namewise's registrar data also falls between 1960 and 1969.

Aisling · #8, 62y
Danielle · #8, 60y
Hazel · #8, 62y
Jamie · #8, 61y

Comparisons involving Isaac

Existing comparison pages where Isaac and another name were ranked in the same published list, in the same years, on the same scale. Each has its own evidence; none of them says the names are alike.

Longest shared records

Names ranked alongside Isaac in the same published list across at least 25 years.

Isaac vs Tom
In 1996 they stood at #104 and #102 in England and Wales · Boys, 2 places apart; by 2025 they were #36 and #976.
Isaac · Tom · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Started together, ended far apart
See the 2025 England and Wales ranking
George vs Isaac
George and Isaac changed places 14 times in New Zealand · Boys between 1981 and 2023, ending at #7 and #46.
George · Isaac · 42 shared years, 1981–2023 · Repeatedly exchanged positions
See the 2023 New Zealand ranking
Elijah vs Isaac
Elijah and Isaac both rose over the same years in 4 registrars — England and Wales · Boys; New South Wales, Australia · Boys; Northern Ireland · Boys; Republic of Ireland · Boys. Each list is measured against its own starting position; the positions are never combined.
Elijah · Isaac · 30 shared years, 1996–2025 · Moved together in several countries

Closest long-running positions

Names that stayed close to Isaac within one registrar's list over many years. A gap measured inside that list, never across registrars.

Isaac vs Max
Across 32 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Isaac and Max averaged 8.9 places apart, ending at #26 and #30.
Isaac · Max · 32 shared years, 1994–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Harry vs Isaac
Across 32 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Harry and Isaac averaged 9.8 places apart, ending at #39 and #26.
Harry · Isaac · 32 shared years, 1994–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Isaac vs Harrison
Across 30 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Isaac and Harrison averaged 9.8 places apart, ending at #46 and #60.
Isaac · Harrison · 30 shared years, 1994–2023 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2023 New Zealand ranking

Order changes

Pairs where Isaac and another name exchanged position in a published list, taken as the final meaningful change.

Henry vs Isaac
In 2017, Henry moved ahead of Isaac in New South Wales, Australia · Boys — #18 and #12 the year before became #6 and #15.
Henry · Isaac · 31 shared years, 1993–2025 · One moved ahead of the other
See the 2017 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Jake vs Isaac
In Northern Ireland · Boys, Isaac moved into the top 50 at #23 in 2019 as Jake fell out of it to #56, having been #30 the year before.
Jake · Isaac · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · One took the other's place near the top
See the 2019 Northern Ireland ranking
Ethan vs Isaac
In Northern Ireland · Boys, Isaac moved into the top 50 at #26 in 2024 as Ethan fell out of it to #57, having been #19 the year before.
Ethan · Isaac · 28 shared years, 1997–2024 · One took the other's place near the top
See the 2024 Northern Ireland ranking

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Pairs involving Isaac measured in New South Wales, Australia's own published lists — the registrar that recorded Isaac at its highest position.

Oliver vs Isaac
Both reached their highest recorded position in New South Wales, Australia · Boys within 2 years — Oliver #1 in 2014, Isaac #8 in 2015.
Oliver · Isaac · 35 shared years, 1990–2025 · Peaked in the same years
See the 2015 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Cooper vs Isaac
Across 28 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Cooper and Isaac averaged 10.8 places apart, ending at #19 and #26.
Cooper · Isaac · 28 shared years, 1998–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking
Charlie vs Isaac
Across 26 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Boys, Charlie and Isaac averaged 12.2 places apart, ending at #12 and #26.
Charlie · Isaac · 26 shared years, 2000–2025 · Closest over the longest run
See the 2025 New South Wales, Australia ranking

New South Wales, Australia overview→

Isaac and the names beside it

Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale, in the same year, by the same registrar — so these are positions that genuinely passed each other, not a similarity judgement. Drawn from the 2,577 names with a recorded popularity standing (common, familiar, uncommon), so a name outside that set could have passed Isaac without appearing here.

Isaac moved ahead of

Daithi
In 2017 they stood at #84 and #71 in Republic of Ireland · Boys; by 2018 that had become #98 and #471.
Pål
In 2011 they stood at #272 and #225 in Norway · Boys; by 2012 that had become #253 and #521.
Andreas
In 2000 they stood at #267 and #222 in Republic of Ireland · Boys; by 2001 that had become #160 and #409.
Bruce
In 2000 they stood at #304 and #304 in Republic of Ireland · Boys; by 2001 that had become #160 and #409.

Moved ahead of Isaac

Jonathan
In 1978 they stood at #609 and #612 in Norway · Boys; by 1979 that had become #618 and #326.
Oliver Compare
In 1974 they stood at #407 and #572 in Norway · Boys; by 1975 that had become #609 and #328.
Tobias
In 1974 they stood at #407 and #418 in Norway · Boys; by 1975 that had become #609 and #360.
Sander
In 1988 they stood at #621 and #633 in Norway · Boys; by 1989 that had become #583 and #340.

Moved the opposite way to Isaac

Alfred
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 while Alfred went from #134 to #286.
Denis
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 while Denis went from #21 to #232.
Frank
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 while Frank went from #164 to #286.
George Compare
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 while George went from #52 to #112.

Moved the same way as Isaac

Benjamin
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 and Benjamin from #139 to #83.
Conor
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 and Conor from #56 to #16.
Luke
Between 1964 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #232 to #104 and Luke from #105 to #23.
Aaron
Between 1968 and 2025 in Republic of Ireland · Boys, Isaac went from #267 to #104 and Aaron from #207 to #71.

Meaning & Origin

Traditionally understood as 'he will laugh' or 'he laughs', tied to the biblical narrative in which Abraham and Sarah laugh at the prophecy of Isaac's birth in their old age.

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name, Online Etymology Dictionary.Confidence: high.

Biblical Hebrew, transmitted into English via Greek Isaak and Late Latin Isaac

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Other names with a researched meaning and origin →

Where Isaac is officially recorded

7 official registrars have recorded Isaac, between 1964 and 2025, in 52 of those 62 years. Each registrar publishes for its own population on its own methodology, so the positions below are each one country's own ranking and are not comparable with one another.

Registrar	Recorded	Years	Its own highest position
Republic of Ireland	1964–2025	38	#77 in 2014
Norway	1974–2025	41	#164 in 2014
New Zealand	1981–2023	42	#17 in 2010
New South Wales, Australia	1990–2025	35	#8 in 2015
England and Wales	1996–2025	30	#20 in 2015
Northern Ireland	1997–2024	28	#20 in 2020
Scotland	2024	1	#49 in 2024

Its high point came 14 years earlier in New Zealand (2010) than in Scotland (2024).

No registrar recorded it for 3 years after 1964; it appears again in 1968.

Variants

No spelling variants or nicknames recorded yet.

Similar Names

No similar names recorded yet for this name.

Similarity is a demonstration score — see methodology.

Spelling

Spelling simplicity

Calculated directly from the name's spelling — see Name Characteristics above.

No commonly used alternate spellings recorded.

Pronunciation

EYE-zək/ˈaɪzək/

Syllables: 2
Ease: easy

VerifiedSource: Behind the Name.Confidence: medium.

Where Isaac Is Recorded

National statistical agencies have recorded Isaac in these places. This shows where the name is used — not where it comes from, and not that it carries particular cultural significance there.

New South Wales, AustraliaEngland and WalesNorthern IrelandScotlandRepublic of IrelandNorwayNew Zealand

Notable Usage

No safely-sourced notable usage recorded for this name yet.

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Preview with a surname

Entirely local — nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere.

Full sibling-set and initials-across-a-shortlist matching is a planned premium feature — see Premium.

Isaac

Isaac at a glance

What stands out in Isaac's record

Overview

Popularity

What the data shows

Popularity journey

Isaac across 6 official records

Isaac by decade in New Zealand · Boys

Isaac appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Isaac

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Isaac

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Isaac and the names beside it

Isaac moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Isaac

Moved the opposite way to Isaac

Moved the same way as Isaac

Meaning & Origin

Where Isaac is officially recorded

Variants

Similar Names

Spelling

Pronunciation

Where Isaac Is Recorded

Notable Usage

Sibling & Surname Compatibility

Isaac at a glance

What stands out in Isaac's record

Isaac across 6 official records

Isaac by decade in New Zealand · Boys

Isaac appears in

What the record shows

Names published alongside Isaac

Where to go next

Next in the catalogue

A comparable record

Also first recorded in the 1960s

Comparisons involving Isaac

Longest shared records

Closest long-running positions

Order changes

Compared inside New South Wales, Australia lists

Isaac and the names beside it

Isaac moved ahead of

Moved ahead of Isaac

Moved the opposite way to Isaac

Moved the same way as Isaac