Abigail is a female given name of Hebrew origin. It is composed of two elements: "av" meaning "father," and "gayl" meaning "joy." Thus, the name Abigail translates to "my father is joyful" or "my father is exultant." The name is believed to have been derived from the Hebrew phrase "Avigayil," which also means "my father is joy."
The name Abigail first appears in the Bible, where it is used as the name of one of King David's wives. She was a woman of great beauty and intelligence, known for her courage and resourcefulness. After the death of her husband Nabal, she approached David to seek his protection and mercy. Impressed by her wisdom and humility, David made Abigail his wife.
Abigail has been a popular name throughout history, particularly among Jewish communities. However, it gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, thanks in part to its use as the name of a character in Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women."
Today, Abigail remains a beloved and timeless name, often associated with intelligence, strength, and beauty - qualities embodied by its biblical namesake. It has been consistently ranked among the top 1000 most popular baby girl names in the United States since the early 20th century.
In terms of variations and related names, Abigail is often shortened to Abby or Abi. Other related names include Avigail (the original Hebrew form), Gabby (a diminutive), Absalom (a masculine form), and Absaloma (a Scottish variant).
Abigail is a classic name that has been used consistently over time, although it experienced a slight peak in popularity in recent years. According to the data provided, there were five girls named Abigail born in the United States in 1995, followed by six in 1997. After a brief dip to five births again in 2002, the number of Abigails born annually increased to six in 2003 and peaked at seven in 2013.
Over this 18-year period from 1995 to 2013, a total of 29 girls were named Abigail. This demonstrates that while Abigail is not one of the most common names, it is still popular enough to be chosen for nearly three dozen newborns over the course of two decades.
This information can be useful for parents considering the name Abigail for their child, as it shows that the name has enduring appeal and is not overly trendy or fleeting in popularity. Additionally, this data may be valuable for researchers studying naming trends and patterns over time.