"father of many nations"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Abraham
Pronunciation: [ AYBR-uhh-am ]
Boy Name
#204 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
The patriarch of three faiths, a name of enduring gravitas
Jewish
Christian
Muslim
American
Classic
Traditional
Strong
Spiritual
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
"exalted father"
Origin: Hebrew (earlier form Abram)
Language: Hebrew
The Story of Abraham
Abraham evolved from the earlier Hebrew name Abram, meaning 'exalted father', and was changed to Abraham — 'father of many nations' — in the Book of Genesis when God established his covenant with the patriarch. The name spread across the ancient world through the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Arabic, the equivalent Ibrahim remains one of the most common names worldwide.
Abraham surged in American consciousness through President Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered figures in US history. The name has maintained steady use in religious communities across all three Abrahamic faiths and has seen modest revival in the US as parents return to substantial biblical names.
Abraham is central to three world religions as the patriarch who made a covenant with God. In Jewish tradition he is 'Avraham Avinu' (Abraham our Father); in Islam, Ibrahim is considered a prophet and father of monotheism; in Christianity he is the father of faith.
Fun Facts
- Abraham Lincoln's name helped cement the name's American identity
- Ibrahim is one of the top 10 most popular names in the Arab world
- The name appears in the Torah, Bible, and Quran
Abraham in Other Languages
Arabic
إبراهيم (Ibrahim)
French
Abraham
Hebrew
אַבְרָהָם
Russian
Авраам (Avraam)
Spanish
Abraham
Famous People Named Abraham
A
Abraham Lincoln
Politician
1809
16th President of the United States, led the nation through the Civil War and abolished slavery
A
Abraham (biblical patriarch)
Religious
The founding patriarch of the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
I
Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim
Politician
Saudi diplomat; the name Ibrahim (Arabic form) is borne by countless leaders across the Islamic world
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #204
- Total SSA Count
- 1,729
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Christian Muslim American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Abe
Bram
Ham
Pairs Well With
Abraham Isaac
Abraham James
Abraham Lee
Abraham Thomas
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Samuel
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Abraham is also used as a girl name, ranked #61959.
View Abraham as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
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Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham
What does the name Abraham mean?
"father of many nations" (from Hebrew). "exalted father" (from Hebrew (earlier form Abram)). Abraham evolved from the earlier Hebrew name Abram, meaning 'exalted father', and was changed to Abraham — 'father of many nations' — in the Book of Genesis when God established his covenant with the patriarch. The name spread across the ancient world through the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Arabic, the equivalent Ibrahim remains one of the most common names worldwide.
What is the origin of the name Abraham?
Abraham has Hebrew, Hebrew (earlier form Abram), Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "father of many nations". In Hebrew (earlier form Abram), it means "exalted father".
Is Abraham a boy or girl name?
Abraham is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #204. As a girl name, it is ranked #61959. Abraham is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Abraham?
Abraham is pronounced AYBR-uhh-am.
How popular is the name Abraham?
Abraham is currently ranked #204 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Abraham?
Common nicknames for Abraham include Abe, Bram, and Ham.
What are good middle names for Abraham?
Popular middle name pairings include Abraham Isaac, Abraham James, Abraham Lee, Abraham Thomas, Abraham Lincoln, and Abraham Samuel.
What are good sibling names for Abraham?
Names that pair well with Abraham as siblings include Isaac, Elijah, Samuel, Ruth, Miriam, and Naomi.
How many syllables does Abraham have?
Abraham has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Abraham a common or rare name?
Abraham is a popular name, ranked #204 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Abraham
Abraham is a boy name with Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and American origins . The name means "father of many nations" in Hebrew .
Is Abraham a boy or girl name? Abraham is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #204 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #61,959. Abraham is more commonly used as a boy name.
Abraham is currently ranked #204 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Abraham has 3 syllables and is pronounced AYBR-uhh-am, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Abraham include Abe, Bram, and Ham. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Abraham include Abram, Abrar, Abrahim . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.