Isom
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 1,775 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Isom is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant of Isham or a derivative of Isaac/Isomael, from the Hebrew Yitzhak (laughter) or Yishmael (God will hear), carrying the meaning 'laughter' or 'heard by God.' It has a long history as a surname-style given name in the American South.
Isom is compact and quietly distinctive — a Southern American name with genuine Hebrew roots and the kind of unpretentious character that ages beautifully.
EtymologyShow more
Though Isom dates back to 1880 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Hebrew classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Isom’s 1,775 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Isom was #10477 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12983, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 27 | #12290 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 60 | #10068 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 49 | #9993 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 65 | #7323 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 57 | #5622 | — |
| 1970s | 59 | #4739 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 57 | #3325 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 142 | #2247 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 169 | #1831 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 165 | #1870 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 277 | #1461 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 233 | #1209 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 115 | #778 | — |
| 1890s | 117 | #645 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 183 | #441 | — |
The Story of Isom
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1920, Isom is a name steeped in history. Boys named Isom are most likely born between 1910 and 1930.
How rare is Isom?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Isom — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 277 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Isom by the numbers
- Would fill 37 school buses
- Meeting one Isom per day would take 4.9 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(133 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #12983 |
| 2023 | 5 | #12960 |
| 2022 | 5 | #13095 |
| 2021 | 6 | #11281 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11130 |
| 2019 | 8 | #9208 |
| 2017 | 5 | #13032 |
| 2015 | 7 | #9964 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7232 |
| 2013 | 6 | #11273 |
| 2012 | 10 | #7762 |
| 2011 | 8 | #9073 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13003 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7402 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10302 |
| 2007 | 5 | #13097 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11181 |
| 2004 | 6 | #10477 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7935 |
| 2000 | 6 | #9554 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Isom a boy's or girl's name?
When was Isom most popular?
How popular is the name Isom?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024