Abigail is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin. Its meaning is "father's joy" or "my father is rejoicing." The name Abigail appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of King David's wives, who was intelligent and wise. She intervened on behalf of her husband Nabal when he offended David, saving both their lives.
The name Abigail has been popular throughout history. It was used by several early Christians, including Saint Abigail, a Welsh nun who lived in the 7th century. In medieval Europe, Abigail was also a common name among Jewish families.
In literature and arts, Abigail has been featured as a character in various works. One notable example is in Henry Fielding's novel "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling," where Mrs. Abigail Williams plays a significant role.
Today, Abigail continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their daughters. According to the Social Security Administration data, Abigail has consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular names for girls in the United States since the 1970s.
Overall, Abigail is an attractive and meaningful name with deep historical roots and wide cultural recognition. Its Hebrew origin and biblical association give it a timeless appeal, while its widespread usage throughout history ensures that it remains relatable and relevant today.
The given statistics show the annual birth occurrences of the name Abigeal in the United States from 2002 to 2013. The years with the highest number of newborns named Abigeal were 2013, with a total of 7 births. Prior to that, the years 2002 and 2003 each saw 5 babies being named Abigeal. There was also another year, 2007, where 5 children were given this name.
Overall, from 2002 to 2013, there were a total of 22 babies born in the United States with the name Abigeal. This shows that while it may not have been one of the most popular names during this time period, it was still chosen for a small but steady number of newborns each year. It's interesting to note the slight increase in popularity from 5 births per year in the early years to 7 births in 2013. However, it would be necessary to have more recent data and compare it with other names to determine if this trend continued or changed over time.