Girls · #41 in 2025
Abigail: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- My father is joy
- Pronunciation
- AB-ih-gayl
- Nickname options
- Abby, Gail
Origin and meaning
Abigail comes from a Hebrew name combining father and joy. It appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a woman who became David's wife. Abby developed as a familiar everyday short form.
U.S. popularity
Abigail ranked #41 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 4,941 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #4, reached in 2005. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.
Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.
The Hello Baby Names take
Abigail has both substance and friendliness. The full name feels established without being austere, and Abby is easy and affectionate. It is a good option when one parent prefers a formal classic and the other gravitates toward a cheerful nickname.
Things to consider
Abigails often have to campaign hard for people to call them by their full name - it's one of those names that people automatically try to shorten without consulting the name's bearer.
If you love Abigail, consider…
- Elizabeth: Offers a wider range of classic nicknames.
- Hannah: Keeps the warm biblical familiarity.
- Emily: Provides a softer three-syllable choice.
- Charlotte: Shares the full-name and nickname balance.
- Madeline: Brings a more flowing vintage sound.
- Sarah: Condenses the traditional feeling.
- Josephine: Adds more old-fashioned charm.
- Adeline: Keeps the opening with a more melodic finish.