Is Isiah a boy's or girl's name?

Isiah is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 11 recorded births.

When was Isiah most popular?

Isiah reached its peak popularity in 2001 with 822 births that year. It is currently ranked #1310 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Isiah?

Isiah is currently ranked #1310 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 24,587 babies since 1880.

Isiah

An uncommon Hebrew pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsHebrewRising fast

#1310▲ 87in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Hebrew, variant of Isaiah.

Isiah is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant spelling of Isaiah, from Hebrew Yeshayahu, meaning 'God is salvation' or 'Yahweh saves,' composed of Yah (God) and yasha (to save, to deliver).

This alternate spelling became widely associated with NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas — the Detroit Pistons legend who led his team to back-to-back championships and is considered one of the greatest point guards in history. The I-S opening distinguishes it visually from the standard Isaiah while carrying the same powerful prophetic meaning.

Compare Isiah with another name

Popularity Over Time

Isiah was #383 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1310, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Isiah
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	689	#1349	▼
2010s	2,407	#947	▼
2000s	7,042	#400	▲
1990s	5,471	#439	▲
1980s	1,653	#782	▲
1970s	541	#1157	▼
1960s	687	#910	▼
1950s	1,009	#724	—
1940s	1,056	#624	▲
1930s	964	#605	▼
1920s	1,270	#548	▲
1910s	894	#510	▲
1900s	340	#370	▲
1890s	313	#331	▲
1880s	251	#354	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Isiah
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	148	#1310	+16 (12.1%)
2023	132	#1397	-9 (-6.4%)
2022	141	#1331	+4 (2.9%)
2021	137	#1351	+6 (4.6%)
2020	131	#1356	-26 (-16.6%)
2019	157	#1214	-12 (-7.1%)
2018	169	#1139	-1 (-0.6%)
2017	170	#1127	-27 (-13.7%)
2016	197	#1020	+19 (10.7%)
2015	178	#1094	-9 (-4.8%)
2014	187	#1060	-79 (-29.7%)
2013	266	#816	-27 (-9.2%)
2012	293	#776	-73 (-19.9%)
2011	366	#639	-58 (-13.7%)
2010	424	#589	-73 (-14.7%)
2009	497	#535	-138 (-21.7%)
2008	635	#443	+8 (1.3%)
2007	627	#446	-103 (-14.1%)
2006	730	#405	-12 (-1.6%)
2005	742	#387	+30 (4.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Isiah as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Isiah has also been given to 11 girls in the U.S. since 1996.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1996

Peak year

Compare Isiah as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Isiah be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Isiah is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1310. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology