Surname Ismaili - Meaning and Origin

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G. Ismaili

Ismaili: What does the surname Ismaili mean?

The last name Ismaili is derived from someone who is an adherent of the Shia branch of Islam. The Ismaili sect, also known as Seveners, was founded by the son of Jafar al-Sadiq, Ismail ibn Jafar.

The core belief of the Ismaili faith is that the Imamate is a continuous line, one that remains intact throughout history despite the absence of the physical Imam. The spiritual representation of this line, known as the Incarnation of the Light, is believed to be a current manifestation of the Imam, who guides followers.

Ismaili faith practices have been influenced by both Islamic and Gnostic tradition. It is quite distinct from the other Islamic sects, being rooted in what is called the "School of Ismailism", which was founded by Ismail ibn Jafar.

As with other branches of Islam, the principle spiritual authority of the Ismaili sect is the Imam, who is believed to have been sent by God to teach the true teachings of Islam as revealed through the Qur’an and the Sunnah. The religious authority is then passed through generations, from a designated successor of the Imam.

The Ismaili faith is focused around the spiritual depth and understanding of Islam. The Ismaili faith has been described as a bridge between the Sunni and Shi’a sects, encompassing aspects of each tradition while maintaining its own unique practices and beliefs.

Ismaili communities are found all over the world, though there are a large number of Ismaili Muslims in Pakistan, India, and East Africa. The Ismaili are united in their mutual practice of faith and their community is grounded in the values of peace, justice, human dignity and respect.

Ismaili: Where does the name Ismaili come from?

The last name Ismaili is a common surname typically found in Muslim populations located in South Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Historically, it was associated with the followers of Islam's seventh major Islamic sect, the Ismaili faith, which is based on an extreme interpretation of the Shi'a doctrine and popularized by Ismail ibn Jafar al-Sadiq in the late eighth and early ninth centuries CE. In the modern era, the Ismaili faith has also spread to countries in the Gulf region, the Horn of Africa, and Central and South Asia. Ismaili communities can also be found in parts of Europe, too.

Apart from South Asia, the last name Ismaili is also prominent in the Middle East and North Africa. It is especially common in countries like Lebanon, where the majority of the population identifies as Shia Ismaili, and in Yemen, where many Ismaili communities are based. Additionally, Ismaili communities exist in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Morocco.

Today, the Ismaili faith is practiced as a fraternity-like community, focused on representational leadership and understanding. The faith is headed by the Aga Khan, a 49th hereditary leader of its practitioners, and governed through a religious, economic, and social infrastructure. This system is presided over by religious and cultural bodies, such as the Ismaili Councils and the Institute of Ismaili Studies.

The Ismaili faith continues to be widely practiced, and the last name associated with it is still quite common in many countries– especially in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Variations of the surname Ismaili

The surname Ismaili is derived from the given name Ismael and can be spelt in various ways. Variants like Ismaeil, Ismaail and Ismel are used in various countries and cultures. Another variation is Yismailai, which is a combination of the name Ismael and the Hebrew and Arabic word ‘yisrael’, both meaning ‘God will hear’.

In countries of the Middle East where Ismaili Muslims reside, the surname is often spelt as Ismaili, Ismael, Ismaeli, Isamy or Ismie. In Iran, the name is more commonly spelt as Ismaeili or Ismeili. In the Indian Subcontinent, the name can vary from country to country. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is more commonly spelt as Ismaili or Ismaiel. In India, it is spelt as Ismaeeli or Ismeeli.

The surnames that derive from Ismaili include Ismani, Ismaya, and Ismayilov. In Lebanon and the Levant, the surnames Ismaiil and Ismayil are also found.

In other cultures, the Ismaili surname has been changed to variations that are more easily pronounced. Examples include Ismahar, Ismulu, and Ismilion.

Even though there are many variations of the Ismaili surname, they all derive from the same source and are used by people of the Ismaili faith worldwide.

Famous people with the name Ismaili

• Kiana Ismaili — Iranian-British journalist and presenter.
• Fiza Ismaili — Pakistani actress, model and singer.
• Ismaili Monarchs — several kings of Morocco, from the contemporary dynasty of Shariffian Idrisids, have been called Ismailis.
• Zabi Ismaili — Afghan singer and songwriter.
• Radia Ismaili — Algerian-German businesswoman.
• Issam Ismaili — Albanian footballer.
• Saud Ismaili — Saudi Arabian swimmer.
• Qasim Ismaili — United Arab Emirates cricketer.
• Abubakar Ismaili — Kenyan footballer.
• Jazz Ismaili — French dancer.

Other surnames

IsmailIsmailogluIsmailovIsmailovic