Abygail is a unique and distinctive name of Hebrew origin. It means "my father is joy" or "exultation." The name is derived from the Hebrew word "ab," which means "father," and "gaйl," meaning "joy" or "happiness."
The name Abygail is not particularly common, but it has been used throughout history by various notable figures. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams and the mother of John Quincy Adams, both of whom served as presidents of the United States.
In literature, the name Abygail appears in Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist," where it is the given name of one of the characters. Additionally, there are several historical figures named Abigail who have made significant contributions to various fields, including politics, science, and arts.
Despite its Hebrew origins, the name Abygail has been adopted by people of different cultures and backgrounds throughout history. Today, it remains a unique and elegant choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter. Its meaning "my father is joy" adds an extra layer of significance to this beautiful name.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Abigail has seen varied popularity over the past five decades in the United States.
The name first appeared in the top 1000 names list in 1974 with just 5 births recorded that year. It then disappeared from the list until 1987 when it re-emerged with another 5 births. The following year, 1988, saw a slight increase with 6 births.
However, starting from 1989, there was a significant rise in the popularity of the name Abigail. With 12 births recorded that year, it marked the beginning of a steady climb in its popularity. This trend continued through the 1990s, reaching a peak of 165 births in 2006.
The period between 2007 and 2013 saw a consistent high level of popularity for Abigail, with over 100 births recorded each year. The years 2014 to 2018 also maintained a decent level of popularity, averaging around 90-110 births per year.
However, from 2019 onwards, there has been a noticeable decline in the popularity of the name Abigail. From 2019 to 2023, the number of births has dropped significantly, from 48 to just 23. This indicates that while Abigail was once quite popular, its popularity may be waning in recent years.
In total, over the period from 1974 to 2023, there have been 2822 births recorded with the name Abigail in the United States. Despite fluctuations in its popularity, it remains a well-known and enduring name choice for parents across several decades.