Abigail Girl

Popularity: #40 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AB-ih-gail /ˈæb.ɪ.ɡeɪl/

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: My father is joy; English: A father's joy

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Abigail has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name Avigayil, which means "my father is joy" or "father's joy." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the First Book of Samuel, where Abigail is described as the intelligent and beautiful wife of Nabal and later becomes one of the wives of King David. The name was transliterated into Greek as Abigai, and subsequently into Latin as Abigail, before making its way into Old French and then into Middle English, where it was adopted in the form we recognize today.

Historically, Abigail has been associated with notable figures and events. In the biblical narrative, her wisdom and diplomacy are highlighted when she intervenes to prevent David from taking revenge on her husband, Nabal.

This story has been influential in shaping the character of Abigail as a symbol of intelligence and virtue. The name gained further prominence in the Christian tradition, particularly through the translation of the Bible into English, including the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures.

Culturally, the name Abigail has resonated through various literary and artistic works over the centuries, often embodying themes of loyalty, strength, and moral integrity. The character of Abigail has been depicted in numerous plays, novels, and films, reinforcing her significance in Western literature.

Additionally, the diminutive form "Abby" has emerged as a familiar variant, though it is less frequently discussed in historical contexts. Overall, Abigail's enduring legacy can be attributed to its biblical origins, historical narratives, and the cultural values associated with the name.

Famous people named Abigail

In this section, you will find notable people named Abigail. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Abigail who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Abigail who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Abigail Adams is a First Lady best known for her letters and advocacy for women's rights.

Abigail Breslin is an actress best known for Little Miss Sunshine, Zombieland, and Signs.

Abigail Spencer is an actress best known for Suits, Timeless, and Rectify.

Abigail Disney is a filmmaker and philanthropist best known for The Armor of Light and the documentary films she has produced.

Abigail Folger is known for her association with the Folger Coffee Company and her tragic death in the Manson Family murders.

Abigail Williams is a historical figure best known for her role in the Salem witch trials.

Fictional characters named Abigail

The following list of fictional characters named Abigail is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Abigail Williams is a fictional character from the play The Crucible. She is a key antagonist who instigates the Salem witch trials through her manipulations and false accusations.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Abigail, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElizabethCharlotteSamanthaVictoriaEmilyMadeline

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Abigail. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AdelaideAmeliaIsabelleGabrielleMirabelleAnnabelleAvelineArabella

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Abigail was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Abigail has ranked as high as #27 nationally, which occurred in 2003, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Ohio, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Abigail has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Abigail is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Abigail was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Abigail.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 4,941 0 4,941
2024 5,535 0 5,535
2023 5,696 9 5,687
2022 6,312 6 6,306
2021 6,999 6 6,993
2020 7,917 0 7,917
2019 9,207 11 9,196
2018 9,892 13 9,879
2017 10,651 6 10,645
2016 11,806 10 11,796
2015 12,432 10 12,422
2014 12,127 13 12,114
2013 12,445 16 12,429
2012 12,743 13 12,730
2011 13,287 21 13,266
2010 14,266 9 14,257
2009 14,417 16 14,401
2008 15,108 20 15,088
2007 15,503 27 15,476
2006 15,649 16 15,633
2005 15,769 13 15,756
2004 15,525 89 15,436
2003 15,955 23 15,932
2002 15,323 20 15,303
2001 14,826 19 14,807
2000 13,110 16 13,094
1999 11,703 17 11,686
1998 11,122 22 11,100
1997 9,636 6 9,630
1996 8,621 17 8,604
1995 7,837 12 7,825
1994 7,255 12 7,243
1993 5,197 12 5,185
1992 4,004 16 3,988
1991 3,812 13 3,799
1990 3,739 20 3,719
1989 3,427 22 3,405
1988 2,386 10 2,376
1987 2,014 13 2,001
1986 2,011 15 1,996
1985 1,860 12 1,848
1984 1,851 7 1,844
1983 1,921 12 1,909
1982 1,894 8 1,886
1981 1,823 7 1,816
1980 1,588 11 1,577
1979 1,226 0 1,226
1978 1,010 0 1,010
1977 794 0 794
1976 833 6 827
1975 615 0 615
1974 606 0 606
1973 479 0 479
1972 393 0 393
1971 392 0 392
1970 362 0 362
1969 281 0 281
1968 263 0 263
1967 244 0 244
1966 191 0 191
1965 209 0 209
1964 244 0 244
1963 255 0 255
1962 264 0 264
1961 232 0 232
1960 228 0 228
1959 206 0 206
1958 192 0 192
1957 187 0 187
1956 190 0 190
1955 180 0 180
1954 147 0 147
1953 169 0 169
1952 151 0 151
1951 137 0 137
1950 112 0 112
1949 113 0 113
1948 72 0 72
1947 78 0 78
1946 76 0 76
1945 53 0 53
1944 56 0 56
1943 63 0 63
1942 48 0 48
1941 40 0 40
1940 48 0 48
1939 53 0 53
1938 50 0 50
1937 45 0 45
1936 36 0 36
1935 37 0 37
1934 30 0 30
1933 32 0 32
1932 30 0 30
1931 27 0 27
1930 25 0 25
1929 33 0 33
1928 40 0 40
1927 33 0 33
1926 30 0 30
1925 37 0 37
1924 31 0 31
1923 32 0 32
1922 29 0 29
1921 24 0 24
1920 33 0 33
1919 31 0 31
1918 26 0 26
1917 41 0 41
1916 37 0 37
1915 38 0 38
1914 25 0 25
1913 14 0 14
1912 24 0 24
1911 18 0 18
1910 16 0 16
1909 12 0 12
1908 13 0 13
1907 12 0 12
1906 15 0 15
1905 11 0 11
1904 8 0 8
1903 20 0 20
1902 18 0 18
1901 13 0 13
1900 14 0 14
1899 7 0 7
1898 11 0 11
1897 15 0 15
1896 15 0 15
1895 15 0 15
1894 13 0 13
1893 21 0 21
1892 11 0 11
1891 11 0 11
1890 9 0 9
1889 20 0 20
1888 18 0 18
1887 13 0 13
1886 15 0 15
1885 9 0 9
1884 13 0 13
1883 11 0 11
1882 14 0 14
1881 8 0 8
1880 12 0 12

Top States for Abigail (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 724
13%
TX 603
11%
FL 349
6%
NY 303
6%
NC 210
4%
VA 200
4%
GA 191
3%
PA 188
3%
IL 171
3%
NJ 163
3%
OH 149
3%
WA 147
3%
MI 134
2%
TN 122
2%
MA 120
2%
AZ 106
2%
MD 105
2%
CO 104
2%
IN 104
2%
SC 89
2%
MO 87
2%
UT 87
2%
AL 86
2%
KY 77
1%
OR 75
1%
MN 74
1%
WI 64
1%
LA 62
1%
CT 60
1%
OK 57
1%
AR 54
1%
KS 51
1%
ID 48
1%
NM 37
1%
IA 36
1%
NV 31
1%
NE 30
1%
MS 27
0%
WV 24
0%
SD 19
0%
NH 18
0%
DC 17
0%
RI 16
0%
ME 15
0%
DE 15
0%
MT 13
0%
AK 10
0%
WY 9
0%
ND 8
0%