Girl name · Hebrew
Abigail
“my father is joy”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Abigail.
Explore Abigail further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Abigail — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Abigail is Hebrew avi (my father) plus gil (joy or rejoicing). The Biblical Abigail talks David out of a massacre with a speech that is one of the longest given to a woman in the Hebrew Bible, and she is described as clever where the men around her are not.
English drama of the seventeenth century used Abigail so often for maidservant characters that the word became a common noun for a lady's maid. It recovered completely and is now a US top-50 name at number 41.
Abby is the default; Gail is the one nobody expects. Three syllables want one (Abigail Wren, Abigail Pearl). On our vibe map it is Heirloom with Vintage Elegant polish.
More Hebrew names
Abigail sits in our Hebrew set — these share its roots.
All Hebrew names →Abigail — common questions
Is Abigail a boy or girl name?
Abigail is traditionally a girl name of Hebrew origin.
What does the name Abigail mean?
Abigail means “my father is joy” of Hebrew origin. Abigail is Hebrew avi (my father) plus gil (joy or rejoicing). The Biblical Abigail talks David out of a massacre with a speech that is one of the longest given to a woman in the Hebrew Bible, and she is described as clever where the men around her are not.
Where does the name Abigail come from?
Abigail is Hebrew in origin. English drama of the seventeenth century used Abigail so often for maidservant characters that the word became a common noun for a lady's maid. It recovered completely and is now a US top-50 name at number 41.
What are common nicknames for Abigail?
Abby, Gail, and Abbie — the short-forms parents most often use for Abigail.
How popular is Abigail?
Abigail did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Abigail you might want for the nursery.