Abel
Abel: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈeɪ.bl̩/
Meaning and origin of Abel
- A male given name from Hebrew.
Etymology
From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the homonymous word הֶבֶל (heḇel, “breath, vapor; vanity”) or from Akkadian 𒌉𒍑 (ablu, “son”).
How popular is Abel?
Since 1880, 161 girls and 66,037 boys in the U.S. have been named Abel (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6707 in 1983. Its highest rank for boys was #124 in 2015. In 2025 it ranked #231 for boys, with 1,530 babies given the name.
Names similar to Abel
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Abel
Sister and brother names that share Abel's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Abel FAQ
What does the name Abel mean?
A male given name from Hebrew. From Middle English Abel, from Old English Ābel, from Latin Abel, from Ancient Greek Ἅβελ (Hábel), from Biblical Hebrew הֶבֶל (Héḇel, “Abel”), possibly from the homonymous word הֶבֶל (heḇel, “breath, vapor; vanity”) or from Akkadian 𒌉𒍑 (ablu, “son”).
What is the origin of the name Abel?
Abel is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Abel?
Since 1880, 161 girls and 66,037 boys in the U.S. have been named Abel (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #6707 in 1983. Its highest rank for boys was #124 in 2015. In 2025 it ranked #231 for boys, with 1,530 babies given the name.
Is Abel a boy or girl name?
Abel is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 161 girls and 66,037 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.