"cause of rejoicing"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Abigail
Pronunciation: [ AB-uhg-ayl ]
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A biblical name of wisdom — father's joy made flesh
English
American
Hebrew
Biblical
Classic
Traditional
Elegant
Strong
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The Story of Abigail
Abigail comes from the Hebrew name Avigayil, meaning 'my father is joy' or 'cause of joy,' from 'Av' (father) and 'gil' (joy/rejoicing). In the Hebrew Bible, Abigail was the wise and beautiful third wife of King David, renowned for her intelligence and diplomatic skill. The name has been consistently popular in English-speaking countries since the Puritan era. While primarily a feminine name, it appears here as a boy's name in the dataset — gender-neutral use of traditionally feminine names is a growing trend.
Abigail has been a top-10 American girl's name in the 2000s-2020s, experiencing a remarkable revival from near-obsolescence in the early 20th century. The name's warmth, biblical heritage, and beloved nickname Abby all contributed to its resurgence.
The biblical Abigail (1 Samuel 25) is celebrated for her wisdom, beauty, and bravery — she prevented a massacre by David's men through her quick thinking. In Puritan New England, Abigail was among the most common names, enduring through American history including First Lady Abigail Adams.
Historical Record
Abigail first appeared in US Social Security records in 1976.
Over 672 babies have been named Abigail in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Abigail is past its peak , currently ranked #9,193 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Abigail Adams (1744-1818) was the second First Lady and wrote famously to her husband John Adams to 'remember the ladies' in the new laws
- Abigail has been a top-10 girls' name in the United States every year since 2001
Abigail in Other Languages
French
Abigaïl
German
Abigail
Hebrew
אֲבִיגַיִל (Avigayil)
Italian
Abigaille
Spanish
Abigaíl
Popularity Over Time
#9,193
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #9,193
- Total SSA Count
- 9
- Cultural Origins
- English American Hebrew Biblical
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Abby
Abbie
Gail
Abi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Abigail
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Abigail is also used as a girl name, ranked #32.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Abigail
What does the name Abigail mean?
"cause of rejoicing" (from Hebrew). Abigail comes from the Hebrew name Avigayil, meaning 'my father is joy' or 'cause of joy,' from 'Av' (father) and 'gil' (joy/rejoicing). In the Hebrew Bible, Abigail was the wise and beautiful third wife of King David, renowned for her intelligence and diplomatic skill. The name has been consistently popular in English-speaking countries since the Puritan era. While primarily a feminine name, it appears here as a boy's name in the dataset — gender-neutral use of traditionally feminine names is a growing trend.
What is the origin of the name Abigail?
Abigail has Hebrew, English, American, and Biblical origins. In Hebrew, it means "cause of rejoicing".
Is Abigail a boy or girl name?
Abigail is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #9193. As a girl name, it is ranked #32. Abigail is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Abigail?
Abigail is pronounced AB-uhg-ayl.
How popular is the name Abigail?
Abigail is currently ranked #9193 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Abigail?
Common nicknames for Abigail include Abby, Abbie, Gail, and Abi.
What are good middle names for Abigail?
Popular middle name pairings include Abigail Rose, Abigail Grace, Abigail Marie, Abigail Jane, Abigail Elizabeth, and Abigail Louise.
What are good sibling names for Abigail?
Names that pair well with Abigail as siblings include Hannah, Sarah, Elijah, Samuel, Rebecca, and Isaac.
How many syllables does Abigail have?
Abigail has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Abigail a common or rare name?
Abigail is an uncommon name, ranked #9193 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Abigail
Abigail is a boy name with English, American, Hebrew, and Biblical origins . The name means "cause of rejoicing" in Hebrew .
Is Abigail a boy or girl name? Abigail is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #9,193 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #32. Abigail is more commonly used as a girl name.
Abigail is currently ranked #9,193 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Abigail has 4 syllables and is pronounced AB-uhg-ayl, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Abigail include Abby, Abbie, Gail, and Abi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis