The nameAbigail
Abigail is a biblical girl's name meaning "my father's joy". It was in the American top ten for girls from 2001 to 2017.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Abigail comes from the Hebrew Avigayil, "my father is joy" or "source of joy".
Origin
Hebrew. In the Bible, Abigail is a wise woman who becomes a wife of King David. In 17th century England the name was so common for maids that "abigail" came to mean a lady's maid.
History
Abigail was popular among Puritans and in colonial America; Abigail Adams was the wife of the second president. It returned in the late 20th century, reaching fourth place in the United States in 2005.
Did you know?
- In 1776 Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John to "remember the ladies" when drafting the new nation's laws.
- She was the mother of John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States.
Famous people named Abigail
- Abigail Adams, First Lady of the United States
- Abigail Breslin, actress
- Abigail Spencer, actress
Popularity of the name Abigail
Abigail in the United States
Abigail was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 151,182 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Abigail. Its rise began around 1981, and it peaked in 2003. Half of all babies named Abigail in the United States were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 6,479 births a year on average, against 10,795 in the five years before.
Abigail in the United Kingdom
Abigail was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 24,351 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Abigail. Half of all babies named Abigail in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 443 births a year on average, against 866 in the five years before.
Abigail in Ireland
Abigail in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Abigail
Names from the same generation as Abigail, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Abigail? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Abigail with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Abigail side by side with the name of your choice.
Abigail in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abigail mean?
Abigail comes from the Hebrew Avigayil, "my father is joy" or "source of joy".
What is the origin of the name Abigail?
Hebrew. In the Bible, Abigail is a wise woman who becomes a wife of King David. In 17th century England the name was so common for maids that "abigail" came to mean a lady's maid.
Is Abigail a girl's or a boy's name?
Abigail is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Abigail?
In 2024, Abigail was the 32nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 5,499 births.
What are the variants of the name Abigail?
Variants and related names of Abigail include Abby and Aby.
What are good sibling names for Abigail?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Madeline, Gabriella and Anna for a sister, Caleb, Isaiah, Ethan and Nathan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Abigail?
Abigail Adams, First Lady of the United States; Abigail Breslin, actress; Abigail Spencer, actress.