Abigail
Say it: AB-ih-gale/ˈæb.ə.ɡeɪl/
GirlMeans usually explained as "my father's joy"7 letters3 syllables
#115
in Ireland (2025)
#117 with spellings combined
40
babies in 2025
#36
best rank (2008)
3,188
babies since 1969
Down 61
10-year rank change
Abigail through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40 | #117 |
| 2024 | 64 | #79 |
| 2023 | 61 | #86 |
| 2022 | 65 | #84 |
| 2021 | 59 | #94 |
| 2020 | 85 | #64 |
| 2019 | 95 | #60 |
| 2018 | 83 | #75 |
| 2017 | 98 | #62 |
| 2016 | 114 | #52 |
| 2015 | 117 | #56 |
| 2014 | 124 | #55 |
| 2013 | 129 | #54 |
| 2012 | 138 | #50 |
| 2011 | 139 | #53 |
| 2010 | 158 | #49 |
| 2009 | 165 | #46 |
| 2008 | 200 | #36 |
| 2007 | 162 | #45 |
| 2006 | 146 | #44 |
| 2005 | 146 | #45 |
| 2004 | 140 | #42 |
| 2003 | 102 | #54 |
| 2002 | 75 | #68 |
| 2001 | 77 | #66 |
| 2000 | 54 | #82 |
| 1999 | 44 | #93 |
| 1998 | 35 | #107 |
| 1997 | 33 | #150 |
| 1996 | 36 | #142 |
| 1995 | 18 | #211 |
| 1994 | 17 | #220 |
| 1993 | 16 | #234 |
| 1992 | 5 | #416 |
| 1991 | 10 | #300 |
| 1990 | 6 | #380 |
| 1989 | 11 | #285 |
| 1988 | 7 | #359 |
| 1987 | 5 | #417 |
| 1986 | 7 | #356 |
| 1984 | 4 | #459 |
| 1983 | 4 | #476 |
| 1982 | 6 | #399 |
| 1981 | 6 | #386 |
| 1980 | 7 | #370 |
| 1979 | 6 | #391 |
| 1978 | 8 | #348 |
| 1977 | 14 | #262 |
| 1976 | 12 | #271 |
| 1975 | 11 | #282 |
| 1974 | 4 | #428 |
| 1973 | 6 | #374 |
| 1972 | 7 | #332 |
| 1969 | 7 | #303 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Abigail mean?
Usually explained as "my father's joy"
Hebrew, from the Old Testament name Avigayil.
Say it right
ABihgale
The story of Abigail
Abigail comes from the Hebrew Avigayil. It is usually explained as “my father’s joy”, though some read it as “source of joy”. In the Old Testament Abigail is a sensible, quick-thinking woman married to the surly Nabal, and after his death she becomes a wife of King David.
English speakers have used the name since the 1500s. Abbie, Abby and Abi are the usual short forms, and some of them now appear as names in their own right.
Abigail was a rare choice in Ireland until the 1990s. It rose quickly and peaked in 2008, with 200 girls and a rank of number 36. It was in the top 100 every year from 1999 to 2024, and 40 girls were given the name in 2025. It went even higher in Northern Ireland, where it reached 29th in 2005.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Abigail (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Abigail (name)
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA Baby Names, Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
AbbieAbbyAbi
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Abigail | 40 | 3,188 |
In Northern Ireland
#96 in 2025 with 21 babies. Best rank #29 (2005); 1,384 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.