Abigail

Meaning: my father is joy · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From Hebrew Avigayil, 'my father is joy'. In the Bible Abigail is a wise woman who became a wife of King David; in the 17th century 'abigail' even became a word for a lady's maid.

Famous people named Abigail

Abigail Adams (US First Lady)
Abigail Breslin (actor)

Nicknames

Abby, Gail, Abbie

Variants & related names

Abigael, Abigale

Abigail name art

A free preview of a printable “Abigail” 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 Abigail mean?

Abigail means “my father is joy”. It comes from Hebrew.

Is Abigail a popular name?

Yes — Abigail has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Abigail?

Abby, Gail, Abbie.

What are other forms of Abigail?

Abigael, Abigale.

Similar names

Jessica · Elisa · Eliza · Elliana · Elizabeth · Naomi

More: names starting with A · all girls' 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.