Abigail Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Abigail Name Meaning

Fact: In the Bible, Abigail is a notable figure. She is described as intelligent and beautiful, and she becomes one of King David’s wives after the death of her first husband, Nabal.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Abigail Overview

Meaning

Father’s joy

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Avigail,” meaning “my father’s joy” or “source of joy.”

Religion

Judaism, Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈæbɪɡeɪl/

Popularity

Abigail is a widely popular name globally, particularly in English-speaking countries. Recently, Abigail has consistently ranked within the top 20 names for girls in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Traditional, Popular, Unique, Cute

Associated Traits

Intelligent, compassionate, strong, joyful

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Abigail is a significant biblical figure, known for her wisdom and beauty in the Hebrew Bible. She was the wife of King David.

Name Day

December 1st
A Deep Dive

Abigail Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Abigale, Abigayle, Abigael, Abigel, Avigail, Abbiegael, Abigal, Abegail, Abigayl, Abagail, Abegale

Common Nicknames

Abby, Abbey, Abbie, Abbi, Bibi

Diminutives

Ab, Abi, Gail, Abby-G, Gale, Gigi

Famous People

  • Abigail Adams
    (American First Lady)
  • Abigail Breslin
    (American Actress)
  • Abigail Spencer
    (American Actress)
  • Abigail Johnson
    (American Businesswoman)
  • Abigail Washburn
    (American Musician)
  • Abigail Ratchford
    (American Model)
  • Abigail Fillmore
    (American First Lady)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Abigail Adams
    ("John Adams," TV Series)
  • "Dear Abigail"
    (Novel)
  • Abigail Breslin
    ("Little Miss Sunshine," Film)
  • Abigail Williams
    ("The Crucible," Play)
  • "Abigail"
    (Album)
  • Abigail Deveraux
    ("Days of Our Lives," TV Series)

What Is the Meaning of Abigail?

Abigail means “father’s joy” or “my father’s delight.” This name often suggests a personality that is cheerful and nurturing, embodying qualities of joy, kindness, and warmth.

What Is the Origin of The Name Abigail?

Abigail has Hebrew origins. It is derived from the Hebrew name “Avigail,” which has been used since biblical times. Abigail is a significant figure in the Bible, known for her wisdom and beauty, and the name has remained in use through centuries, gaining popularity in many cultures.

Abigail Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Abigail in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#172021#242022#312023
Top 3 Rankings#42005#62003#62004

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Abigail

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202331
(-7 from 2022)
5661
(-632 from 2022)
0.32363
202224
(-7 from 2021)
6293
(-685 from 2021)
0.35096
202117
(-5 from 2020)
6978
(-929 from 2020)
0.38949
202012
(-1 from 2019)
7907
(-1275 from 2019)
0.44731
201911
No change from 2018
9182
(-689 from 2018)
0.50042
201811
(-1 from 2017)
9871
(-773 from 2017)
0.53080
201710
(-2 from 2016)
10644
(-1150 from 2016)
0.56343
20168
(-1 from 2015)
11794
(-626 from 2015)
0.60923
20157
(+1 from 2014)
12420
(+311 from 2014)
0.63664
20148
No change from 2013
12109
(-319 from 2013)
0.61897
20138
(-1 from 2012)
12428
(-297 from 2012)
0.64471
20127
No change from 2011
12725
(-536 from 2011)
0.65611
20117
No change from 2010
13261
(-995 from 2010)
0.68437
20107
(+1 from 2009)
14256
(-143 from 2009)
0.72709
20098
No change from 2008
14399
(-686 from 2008)
0.71103
20088
No change from 2007
15085
(-391 from 2007)
0.72424
20078
(-2 from 2006)
15476
(-157 from 2006)
0.73121
20066
(-2 from 2005)
15633
(-122 from 2005)
0.74780
20054
(+2 from 2004)
15755
(+322 from 2004)
0.77627
20046
No change from 2003
15433
(-499 from 2003)
0.76484
20036
(+1 from 2002)
15932
(+630 from 2002)
0.79404
20027
(+1 from 2001)
15302
(+495 from 2001)
0.77478
20018
(+6 from 2000)
14807
(+1713 from 2000)
0.74747
200014
(+4 from 1999)
13094
(+1409 from 1999)
0.65610
199918
No change from 1998
11685
(+585 from 1998)
0.60022
199818
(+8 from 1997)
11100
(+1472 from 1997)
0.57261
199726
(+6 from 1996)
9628
(+1024 from 1996)
0.50428
199632
(+4 from 1995)
8604
(+780 from 1995)
0.44877
199536
(+6 from 1994)
7824
(+584 from 1994)
0.40717
199442
(+25 from 1993)
7240
(+2056 from 1993)
0.37140
199367
(+19 from 1992)
5184
(+1196 from 1992)
0.26294
199286
(+6 from 1991)
3988
(+189 from 1991)
0.19893
199192
(-2 from 1990)
3799
(+81 from 1990)
0.18683
199090
(+4 from 1989)
3718
(+313 from 1989)
0.18098
198994
(+24 from 1988)
3405
(+1030 from 1988)
0.17092
1988118
(+20 from 1987)
2375
(+374 from 1987)
0.12350
1987138
(+5 from 1986)
2001
(+5 from 1986)
0.10676
1986143
(+10 from 1985)
1996
(+148 from 1985)
0.10816
1985153
(+1 from 1984)
1848
(+5 from 1984)
0.10009
1984154
(-3 from 1983)
1843
(-67 from 1983)
0.10220
1983151
(+6 from 1982)
1910
(+24 from 1982)
0.10672
1982157
(-1 from 1981)
1886
(+70 from 1981)
0.10395
1981156
(+20 from 1980)
1816
(+239 from 1980)
0.10154
1980176
(+37 from 1979)
1577
(+351 from 1979)
0.08856
1979213
(+29 from 1978)
1226
(+216 from 1978)
0.07114
1978242
(+55 from 1977)
1010
(+215 from 1977)
0.06144
1977297
(-19 from 1976)
795
(-32 from 1976)
0.04833
1976278
(+75 from 1975)
827
(+212 from 1975)
0.05261
1975353
(+4 from 1974)
615
(+10 from 1974)
0.03940
1974357
(+55 from 1973)
605
(+125 from 1973)
0.03863
1973412
(+56 from 1972)
480
(+87 from 1972)
0.03089
1972468
(+23 from 1971)
393
(+1 from 1971)
0.02437
1971491
(+35 from 1970)
392
(+30 from 1970)
0.02237
1970526
(+64 from 1969)
362
(+81 from 1969)
0.01976
1969590
(+2 from 1968)
281
(+18 from 1968)
0.01594
1968592
(+17 from 1967)
263
(+19 from 1967)
0.01538
1967609
(+101 from 1966)
244
(+53 from 1966)
0.01421
1966710
(-31 from 1965)
191
(-18 from 1965)
0.01088
1965679
(-24 from 1964)
209
(-35 from 1964)
0.01144
1964655
(-22 from 1963)
244
(-11 from 1963)
0.01247
1963633
(-16 from 1962)
255
(-8 from 1962)
0.01283
1962617
(+62 from 1961)
263
(+30 from 1961)
0.01298
1961679
(-6 from 1960)
233
(+5 from 1960)
0.01122
1960673
(+25 from 1959)
228
(+22 from 1959)
0.01096
1959698
(+14 from 1958)
206
(+14 from 1958)
0.00991
1958712
(+21 from 1957)
192
(+6 from 1957)
0.00929
1957733
(-39 from 1956)
186
(-4 from 1956)
0.00887
1956694
(+6 from 1955)
190
(+10 from 1955)
0.00923
1955700
(+73 from 1954)
180
(+33 from 1954)
0.00898
1954773
(-68 from 1953)
147
(-22 from 1953)
0.00738
1953705
(+18 from 1952)
169
(+18 from 1952)
0.00876
1952723
(+26 from 1951)
151
(+14 from 1951)
0.00794
1951749
(+75 from 1950)
137
(+25 from 1950)
0.00742
1950824
(-1 from 1949)
112
(-1 from 1949)
0.00637
1949823
(+218 from 1948)
113
(+41 from 1948)
0.00644
19481041
(-38 from 1947)
72
(-6 from 1947)
0.00413
19471003
(-50 from 1946)
78
(+2 from 1946)
0.00429
1946953
(+127 from 1945)
76
(+23 from 1945)
0.00471
19451080
(-34 from 1944)
53
(-3 from 1944)
0.00394
19441046
(-50 from 1943)
56
(-7 from 1943)
0.00410
1943996
(+141 from 1942)
63
(+15 from 1942)
0.00439
19421137
(+47 from 1941)
48
(+8 from 1941)
0.00345
19411184
(-149 from 1940)
40
(-8 from 1940)
0.00321
19401035
(-61 from 1939)
48
(-5 from 1939)
0.00406
1939974
(+33 from 1938)
53
(+3 from 1938)
0.00467
19381007
(+56 from 1937)
50
(+5 from 1937)
0.00438
19371063
(+123 from 1936)
45
(+9 from 1936)
0.00408
19361186
(-24 from 1935)
36
(-1 from 1935)
0.00334
19351162
(+154 from 1934)
37
(+7 from 1934)
0.00340
19341316
(-54 from 1933)
30
(-2 from 1933)
0.00277
19331262
(+84 from 1932)
32
(+2 from 1932)
0.00306
19321346
(+75 from 1931)
30
(+3 from 1931)
0.00271
19311421
(+148 from 1930)
27
(+2 from 1930)
0.00245
19301569
(-263 from 1929)
25
(-8 from 1929)
0.00214
19291306
(-96 from 1928)
33
(-7 from 1928)
0.00285
19281210
(+194 from 1927)
40
(+7 from 1927)
0.00335
19271404
(+79 from 1926)
33
(+3 from 1926)
0.00267
19261483
(-187 from 1925)
30
(-7 from 1925)
0.00244
19251296
(+207 from 1924)
37
(+6 from 1924)
0.00293
19241503
(-75 from 1923)
31
(-1 from 1923)
0.00239
19231428
(+108 from 1922)
32
(+3 from 1922)
0.00255
19221536
(+229 from 1921)
29
(+5 from 1921)
0.00232
19211765
(-390 from 1920)
24
(-9 from 1920)
0.00188
19201375
(+18 from 1919)
33
(+2 from 1919)
0.00265
19191393
(+173 from 1918)
31
(+5 from 1918)
0.00264
19181566
(-456 from 1917)
26
(-15 from 1917)
0.00216
19171110
(+57 from 1916)
41
(+4 from 1916)
0.00365
19161167
(-73 from 1915)
37
(-1 from 1915)
0.00341
19151094
(+134 from 1914)
38
(+13 from 1914)
0.00371
19141228
(+373 from 1913)
25
(+11 from 1913)
0.00314
19131601
(-546 from 1912)
14
(-10 from 1912)
0.00214
19121055
(-24 from 1911)
24
(+6 from 1911)
0.00409
19111031
(+79 from 1910)
18
(+2 from 1910)
0.00407
19101110
(+109 from 1909)
16
(+4 from 1909)
0.00381
19091219
(-84 from 1908)
12
(-1 from 1908)
0.00326
19081135
(+7 from 1907)
13
(+1 from 1907)
0.00367
19071142
(-177 from 1906)
12
(-3 from 1906)
0.00356
1906965
(+197 from 1905)
15
(+4 from 1905)
0.00479
19051162
(+202 from 1904)
11
(+3 from 1904)
0.00355
19041364
(-604 from 1903)
8
(-12 from 1903)
0.00274
1903760
(+58 from 1902)
20
(+2 from 1902)
0.00719
1902818
(+100 from 1901)
18
(+5 from 1901)
0.00642
1901918
(+90 from 1900)
13
(-1 from 1900)
0.00511
19001008
(+270 from 1899)
14
(+7 from 1899)
0.00441
18991278
(-231 from 1898)
7
(-4 from 1898)
0.00283
18981047
(-221 from 1897)
11
(-4 from 1897)
0.00401
1897826
(+17 from 1896)
15
No change from 1896
0.00604
1896843
(-28 from 1895)
15
No change from 1895
0.00595
1895815
(+35 from 1894)
15
(+2 from 1894)
0.00607
1894850
(-220 from 1893)
13
(-8 from 1893)
0.00551
1893630
(+278 from 1892)
21
(+10 from 1892)
0.00932
1892908
(-69 from 1891)
11
No change from 1891
0.00489
1891839
(+101 from 1890)
11
(+2 from 1890)
0.00560
1890940
(-373 from 1889)
9
(-11 from 1889)
0.00446
1889567
(+26 from 1888)
20
(+2 from 1888)
0.01057
1888593
(+40 from 1887)
18
(+5 from 1887)
0.00950
1887633
(-61 from 1886)
13
(-2 from 1886)
0.00836
1886572
(+173 from 1885)
15
(+6 from 1885)
0.00976
1885745
(-162 from 1884)
9
(-4 from 1884)
0.00634
1884583
(-4 from 1883)
13
(+2 from 1883)
0.00945
1883579
(-86 from 1882)
11
(-3 from 1882)
0.00916
1882493
(+130 from 1881)
14
(+6 from 1881)
0.01210
1881623
(-131 from 1880)
8
(-4 from 1880)
0.00809
1880492
First SSA data recorded
12
First SSA data recorded
0.01229

American States Popularity Rankings for Abigail

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#192021#212022#242023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#162021#222022#302023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#162021#232022#372023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#332021#322022#422023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#192021#192022#232023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#212021#312022#422023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#322021#262022#292023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#352021#292022#372023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#132021#262022#202023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#172021#222022#222023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#272021#322022#322023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#132021#142022#132023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#132021#372022#352023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#152021#202022#252023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#232021#302022#392023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#182021#202022#272023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#342021#422022#372023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#202021#182022#182023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#502021#512022#382023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#122021#212022#222023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#212021#302022#362023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#142021#282022#322023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#282021#502022#322023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#292021#282022#422023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#192021#312022#252023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#172021#232022#282023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#232021#312022#402023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#392021#472022#702023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#212021#192022#192023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#222021#242022#282023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#222021#322022#692023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#162021#192022#372023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#202021#322022#252023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#152021#382022#272023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#532021#622022#482023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#112021#162022#472023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#182021#262022#452023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#212021#362022#422023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#372021#362022#642023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#112021#122022#242023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#282021#252022#202023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#352021#372022#152023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#192021#412022#332023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#482021#402022#512023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#272021#1222022#492023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#452021#312022#212023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#312021#232022#472023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#712021#472022#382023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#132021#272022#242023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#882021#862022#332023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#462021#332022#272023

Popularity Rankings for Abigail in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#82019#102020#22023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#562015#102020#102021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#172021#132022#192023

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#302020#332021

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#492021#502022#642023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#512021#642022#572023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#702019#642020#662021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#732021#832022#882023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1082021#732022#1152023

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#742021#762023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1092021#972022#802023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#832019#872020#1052021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#932021#842022#842023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1442020#1142021#1162022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2282021#3182022#2362023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#3032021#2462022#3022023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#3192022#3022023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#3332020#3922021#3932022

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3912023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#4312020#4792022#4372023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Abigail a Name for Boys or Girls?

Abigail is generally used for girls. Historical and cultural references point to its consistent use for females.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Abigail

Abigail in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Abigail Adams (First Lady, 1744–1818): The wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and a prolific letter writer.
  • Abigail Breslin (Actress, born 1996): An American actress recognized for her role in "Little Miss Sunshine," which earned her an Academy Award nomination.
  • Abigail Spencer (Actress, born 1981): An American actress celebrated for her performances in "Mad Men," "Rectify," and "Timeless."
  • Abigail Johnson (Businesswoman, born 1961): An American businesswoman serving as the CEO of Fidelity Investments.
  • Abigail Washburn (Musician, born 1977): An American banjo player and singer acclaimed for her contributions to the folk and bluegrass genres.
  • Abigail Ratchford (Model, born 1992): An American glamour model and social media personality with notable appearances in magazines and on social media platforms.
  • Abigail Fillmore (First Lady, 1798–1853): The wife of Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States, and a former schoolteacher.
  • Abigail Adams ("John Adams," 2008 TV Series): The wife of John Adams and the second First Lady of the United States.
  • "Dear Abigail" (2020 Novel): A historical fiction novel that explores the life and times of Abigail Adams.
  • Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine," 2006 Film): Plays Olive Hoover, a young girl who competes in a beauty pageant.
  • Abigail Williams ("The Crucible," 1953 Play by Arthur Miller): A young girl whose accusations of witchcraft fuel the Salem witch trials.
  • "Abigail" (1987 Album by King Diamond): A concept album that tells the story of a haunted mansion and a ghost named Abigail.
  • Abigail Deveraux ("Days of Our Lives," 1965 TV Series): A long-running character in the daytime soap opera.
  • Abigail Hobbs ("Hannibal," 2013 TV Series): A troubled young woman who becomes entangled with the titular character, Hannibal Lecter.
  • Abigail Sciuto ("NCIS," 2003 TV Series): A forensic scientist known for her gothic style and cheerful demeanor.
  • "Abigail" (2019 Film): A fantasy adventure about a young girl who discovers her city is under a magical quarantine.
  • Abigail "Abby" Yates ("Ghostbusters," 2016 Film): A scientist who investigates paranormal activities with her team.
  • Abigail Whistler ("Blade: Trinity," 2004 Film): A vampire hunter who aids Blade in his fight against vampires.
  • Abigail Stanton ("When Calls the Heart," 2014 TV Series): A strong-willed widow who helps build the town of Hope Valley.
  • None

Similar Names to Abigail

  • Althea
  • Lettice
  • Allegra
  • Bliss
  • Hilary
  • Merry

Sibling Names for Abigail