Abigail is a beautiful and timeless given name with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. Its origins can be traced back to Hebrew language, where it is composed of two elements: "Av" which means "father", and "igail" which translates to "happiness" or "joy". Therefore, Abigail literally means "my father is joyful" or "my father is exultant".
The name Abigail first appeared in the Bible, in the Book of Samuel. It was the name of one of King David's wives, who was intelligent and wise beyond her years. Abigail was known for her quick thinking and courageous actions that saved her husband Nabal from being killed by David after Nabal had insulted him.
Despite its biblical origins, Abigail has been used as a given name throughout history and across different cultures. It gained popularity in England during the late Middle Ages and continued to be a popular choice among European nobility for centuries. In fact, several royal figures throughout history have borne this name, including Queen consort of Portugal, Maria Abigail de Braganza.
Today, Abigail remains a beloved and popular given name around the world. Its meaning, which signifies joyfulness and happiness, makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking a meaningful name for their daughter. Furthermore, its biblical origins give it a sense of timelessness and tradition that appeals to many people. Overall, Abigail is a elegant and powerful name with a rich history behind it.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Abigail has seen fluctuations in popularity over the past several decades in the United States.
The earliest data point available is from 1970, with a total of 5 births recorded that year. The number of births increased slightly to 6 in 1976 and peaked at 38 in 2005. After this peak, there was a gradual decline in the popularity of the name Abigail.
From 2005 onwards, the number of births with the name Abigail ranged from a low of 16 in 2015 to a high of 32 in 2010 and 2014. The most recent data available is from 2022, with 6 births recorded that year.
Overall, over the past 7 decades, there have been a total of 787 births registered with the name Abigail in the United States. Despite some fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Abigail remains a popular choice for parents, appearing in the top 1000 names for girls in recent years.