Find out how popular the first name Abigail has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Abigail by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Abigail is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Abigail being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5,661 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Abigail.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby boys were named Abigail in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Abigail

The name Abigail has its origins in the Hebrew language. It is derived from the Hebrew phrase "abiy ga'il," which translates to "father's joy" or "source of joy." The name can be traced back to the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is mentioned as the name of a wise and virtuous woman who becomes the wife of David after the death of her first husband, Nabal.

The earliest recorded use of the name Abigail dates back to the 11th century BCE, when it appeared in the biblical Book of Samuel. In this text, Abigail is described as a woman of great intelligence and diplomacy, who intervenes to prevent bloodshed between her husband and David's men.

Throughout history, the name Abigail has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest was Abigail Adams (1744-1818), the wife of the second US President, John Adams. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and played a significant role in shaping the early political landscape of the United States.

Another famous Abigail was Abigail Williams (1680-1697), a key accuser during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692-1693. Her allegations against several women in Salem Village, Massachusetts, led to their execution for alleged witchcraft.

In the realm of literature, Abigail Hill is a character in the novel "The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe, published in 1722. She is portrayed as a cunning and manipulative woman who uses her charm to advance her social standing.

The name Abigail also has a connection to the American Revolution. Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818), wife of John Adams, was a prominent figure who advocated for women's rights and played a crucial role in shaping the early political landscape of the United States.

In more recent times, Abigail Van Buren (1918-2013), whose real name was Pauline Esther Friedman, was a renowned advice columnist who wrote the "Dear Abby" column for over five decades, offering guidance to millions of readers on a wide range of personal and social issues.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Abigail was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Abigail, please contact us.

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