The story behind Issa
From Arabic عيسى (“Jesus”).
Other language forms and explanations (1)
French entry
A French spelling of an Arabic-derived form for Jesus. From Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā) or its derivatives (Wolof Isaa, Pulaar Iisaa etc.).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): IH1 S AH0
Regional pronunciation variants
- French: /i.sa/
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Issa ranked #2871 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Issa
Isa
Transliteration of Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā) or anglicized from Turkish İsa, both equivalents of Jesus as a given name. Transliteration of Arabic عِيسَى (ʕīsā) or anglicized from…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Huda
Borrowed from Arabic هُدًى (hudan, “guidance”)
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lela
A female given name from Arabic, possibly a variant of Leila.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lila
Variant of Leila or Lilah, depending on pronunciation; also associated with Spanish lila (“lilac”). From Sanskrit लीला (līlā, “play, charm”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lyla
A spelling variant of Leila.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Mona
Anglicized from Irish and Scottish Gaelic Muadhnait, from Middle Irish múad (“noble”). In northern Europe, where the name is much more popular, Mona is interpreted as a…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Issa
Bahriye
Inherited from Ottoman Turkish بحریه, from Arabic بَحْرِيَّة (baḥriyya).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Berahim
From Arabic إِبْرَاهِيم (ʔibrāhīm), from Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (avrahám). Doublet of Ibrahim.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Bo
Either borrowed from modern Danish Bo or Swedish Bo, or a spelling variant of the male given name Beau. From Old Norse Búi (“dweller, long-time resident”), originally a…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Issa
Abed
From Arabic عَابِد (ʕābid, “servant, worshipper”)
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adam
Middle English Adam English Adam From Middle English Adam, from Old English Adam, from Latin Adam, Adamus, from Ancient Greek Ἀδάμ (Adám), Ἄδαμος (Ádamos), from Biblical Hebrew…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection
Adel
Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *aþalaz. The female name is a rare variant of Adele. The surname is borrowed from German Adel. Variant of Adil, from Arabic عَادِل (ʕādil).
- Gender
- mixed
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- compatible short style
- shared origin connection