Abby
Abby is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
My father is joy.
Origin and history
Abby is a classic feminine given name, most commonly derived as a short form of Abigail, which means 'my father is joy' in Hebrew. While traditionally used as a diminutive, it has long functioned as an independent full name in the United States. It remains a familiar and friendly choice across generations.
Popularity in the United States
61,855 babies in the United States have been named Abby since 1880. It ranks #520 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #581.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.6 %)
- CA (6.5 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- NY (5.2 %)
- IL (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 64 |
| 1890-1900 | 57 |
| 1900-1910 | 49 |
| 1910-1920 | 110 |
| 1920-1930 | 177 |
| 1930-1940 | 200 |
| 1940-1950 | 444 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,162 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,068 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,138 |
| 1980-1990 | 11,888 |
| 1990-2000 | 13,876 |
| 2000-2010 | 17,217 |
| 2010-2019 | 8,442 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,963 |
Famous people named Abby
- Abby Wambach: athlete, soccer player
- Abby Elliott: actress, comedian
Fun facts
- Although originally a diminutive for Abigail, Abby has been registered as an independent given name in the U.S. since records began in 1880.
- The name gained widespread cultural recognition through figures like advice columnist Abigail Van Buren, famously known as Dear Abby.