"my father is a gift"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Abishai
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A fearless biblical warrior with a name meaning 'gift'
Hebrew
Christian
Jewish
African Christian
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Bold
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Strong
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Meaning & Origin
"father of a gift"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Abishai
Abishai is a biblical Hebrew name composed of 'avi' (my father) and 'shai' (gift), meaning 'my father is a gift' or 'the father is a gift.' In the Old Testament, Abishai was the son of Zeruiah and nephew of King David, one of his most loyal and fearless warriors. He was known for his fierce loyalty and military prowess, serving alongside his brother Joab in David's campaigns.
Abishai is a rare name outside deeply religious communities, favored by families in African Christian communities (particularly in West Africa and East Africa), as well as among Messianic Jewish families and conservative Christian families who choose Old Testament names. It has seen modest growth as biblical names have gained broader appeal.
In the Bible, Abishai was one of David's mightiest warriors — he once offered to kill Saul while the king slept, showing his absolute loyalty to David. He later killed the Philistine giant Ishbi-Benob when the aging David was in danger. The name thus carries connotations of fierce devotion and protective strength.
Historical Record
Abishai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1995.
Over 316 babies have been named Abishai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Abishai is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,395 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Abishai appears over 25 times in the Old Testament, making him one of the more prominent supporting figures in the David narratives
- The Hebrew name Avishai is the modern Israeli form of Abishai, still given to boys in Israel today
Abishai in Other Languages
French
Abishaï
Hebrew
אֲבִישַׁי
Amharic
አቢሻይ
Spanish
Abishai
Swahili
Abishai
Popularity Over Time
#4,395
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Abishai
A
Abishai
Military
Biblical warrior, nephew of King David and brother of Joab, one of David's thirty mighty warriors known for his fierce l...
Biblical warrior, nephew of King David and brother of Joab, one of David's thirty mighty warriors known for his fierce loyalty
A
Abishai Itzhaki
Musician
Israeli singer and music personality
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,395
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian Jewish African Christian
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Abi
Shai
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Distinctive pick, 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
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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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Abishai
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Girl Name
Abishai is also used as a girl name, ranked #26407.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Abishai
What does the name Abishai mean?
"my father is a gift" (from Hebrew). "father of a gift" (from Hebrew). Abishai is a biblical Hebrew name composed of 'avi' (my father) and 'shai' (gift), meaning 'my father is a gift' or 'the father is a gift.' In the Old Testament, Abishai was the son of Zeruiah and nephew of King David, one of his most loyal and fearless warriors. He was known for his fierce loyalty and military prowess, serving alongside his brother Joab in David's campaigns.
What is the origin of the name Abishai?
Abishai has Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and African Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "my father is a gift". In Hebrew, it means "father of a gift".
Is Abishai a boy or girl name?
Abishai is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4395. As a girl name, it is ranked #26407. Abishai is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Abishai?
Abishai is currently ranked #4395 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Abishai?
Common nicknames for Abishai include Abi and Shai.
What are good middle names for Abishai?
Popular middle name pairings include Abishai James, Abishai Emmanuel, Abishai David, Abishai Michael, Abishai Samuel, Abishai Joseph, and Abishai Elias.
What are good sibling names for Abishai?
Names that pair well with Abishai as siblings include Joab, Asahel, Elihu, Jedidiah, Miriam, Tamar, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Abishai have?
Abishai has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Abishai a common or rare name?
Abishai is an uncommon name, ranked #4395 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Abishai?
Are there other spellings for Abishai?
Related spellings include Abisai.
About the Name Abishai
Abishai is a boy name with Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and African Christian origins . The name means "my father is a gift" in Hebrew .
Is Abishai a boy or girl name? Abishai is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,395 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #26,407. Abishai is more commonly used as a boy name.
Abishai is currently ranked #4,395 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Abishai has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Abishai include Abi and Shai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Abishai include Abisai . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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