Abel
Abel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Breath, vapor, or vanity.
Origin and history
Abel is a classic biblical name derived from the Hebrew word for breath or vapor. In the Old Testament, Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. It has maintained steady, moderate usage in the United States, experiencing a modern surge in popularity.
Popularity in the United States
66,037 babies in the United States have been named Abel since 1880. It ranks #421 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #208.
States where it is most popular
- CA (23.5 %)
- TX (23.2 %)
- IL (3.8 %)
- AZ (3.7 %)
- NY (3.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 107 |
| 1890-1900 | 118 |
| 1900-1910 | 121 |
| 1910-1920 | 559 |
| 1920-1930 | 881 |
| 1930-1940 | 939 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,225 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,088 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,665 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,528 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,730 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,484 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,364 |
| 2010-2019 | 23,554 |
| 2020-2029 | 10,674 |
Famous people named Abel
- Abel Tesfaye: Singer, Songwriter
- Abel Gance: Film Director, Producer
- Abel Xavier: Athlete, Soccer Coach
Fun facts
- Abel is famous as the world's first shepherd mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.
- The name has risen significantly in U.S. popularity since the early 2000s.