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Ishaq

Boy name · 6 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ishaq: 6 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 3 births in 2011.

The name Ishaq is the Arabic form of Isaac, tracing back to the Hebrew *Yitzchaq*, meaning "he will laugh" or "he laughs," a reference to the biblical story of Sarah’s joyful reaction to her late-in-life pregnancy. In the Quran, Ishaq is honoured as a prophet and son of Ibrahim (Abraham). One of the most famous bearers was Ishaq ibn Hunayn, a 9th-century Arab translator and physician who helped preserve Greek scientific texts. Though not a place name itself, the root of Ishaq shares its joyous meaning with the Scottish place name Lachlan, which stems from a similar laughter-related etymology. This name offers a strong, cross-cultural connection, being common across the Muslim world while also linking back to a foundational biblical figure.