The nameAbel
Abel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin, the name of the second son of Adam and Eve. Its meaning is often read as "breath".
- Boy's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Abel comes from the Hebrew Hevel, "breath, vapour", a word that also means fleeting or vain.
Origin
Hebrew. In Genesis, Abel is a shepherd killed by his brother Cain.
History
Abel was used in medieval England and by Puritans. It came back in the United States in the 2010s.
Did you know?
- In 1642 the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman became the first European to reach Tasmania and New Zealand.
Famous people named Abel
- Abel, son of Adam and Eve
- Abel Tasman, explorer
- Abel Ferrara, film director
- The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, singer
Popularity of the name Abel
Abel in the United States
Abel was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 23,587 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Abel. Its rise began around 1973, and it peaked in 2015. Half of all babies named Abel in the United States were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,832 births a year on average, against 2,835 in the five years before.
Abel in the United Kingdom
Abel was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 1,939 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Abel. Its rise began around 2006, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Abel in the United Kingdom were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 335 births a year on average, against 269 in the five years before.
Abel in France
Abel in Belgium
Abel in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Abel
Names from the same generation as Abel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Abel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Abel with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Abel side by side with the name of your choice.
Abel in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abel mean?
Abel comes from the Hebrew Hevel, "breath, vapour", a word that also means fleeting or vain.
What is the origin of the name Abel?
Hebrew. In Genesis, Abel is a shepherd killed by his brother Cain.
Is Abel a girl's or a boy's name?
Abel is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Abel?
In 2024, Abel was the 220th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,627 births.
What are the variants of the name Abel?
Variants and related names of Abel include Albert and Avraham.
What are good sibling names for Abel?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Piper, Jane, Norah and Eva for a sister, Ibrahim, Tobias, Titus and Josiah for a brother.
Who are famous people named Abel?
Abel, son of Adam and Eve; Abel Tasman, explorer; Abel Ferrara, film director; The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, singer.