Names › Boys' names › A › Abel
Abel
Meaning: breath · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
The second son of Adam and Eve in Genesis; the Hebrew Hevel means 'breath, vapour'.
Famous people named Abel
- Abel Tasman (explorer)
Nicknames
Abe
Variants & related names
Abele, Habel
Abel name art
A free preview of a printable “Abel” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Abel mean?
Abel means “breath”. It comes from Hebrew.
Is Abel a popular name?
Yes — Abel has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Abel?
Abe.
What are other forms of Abel?
Abele, Habel.
Similar names
Zachary · Toby · Jude · Jesse · Elliot · Ivan
More: names starting with A · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.