About the name Abel
The origin of Abel is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Hebrew roots, with the meaning “Breath”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.
Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Abel we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.
It has a vintage, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Abel ranked #231 for boys in the US, with 1,525 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2015. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Abel were boys.
- US rank 2025
- #231
- In 2015
- #124
- Babies in 2025
- 1,525
Popularity of Abel, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
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Abel
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Abel on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Abel. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Nicknames for Abel
- Abe
Names similar to Abel
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.