Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Abagail
GirlHebrew, American (modern coinage)· “my father is joy”
- Meaning
- my father is joy
- Origin
- Hebrew, American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- AB-uh-gayl
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #7,889
- US babies 2025
- 13
- Best rank
- #868 (2008)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Abagail
Abagail is a Hebrew and American (modern coinage) name that means “my father is joy”.
Abagail is a variant spelling of Abigail, from the Hebrew Avigayil, usually translated as my father is joy. In the Bible, Abigail is the wise and gracious wife of Nabal who later marries King David. The name has been used in English since the Reformation. The spelling Abagail changes the look slightly while keeping the familiar sound. It feels warm, classic and approachable. Abby, Gail and Abbie are easy nicknames, and the name pairs well with both short and long middle names.
Popularity over time
Abagail first appears in US Social Security records in 1950. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 12 different years, starting in 1999. Its best national rank was #868 in 2008, the same year it reached its highest count of 321 babies. In 2025, 13 babies were named Abagail, and it ranked #7,889 nationally. That is 88% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,301 in 1950, #4,327 in 1980, #954 in 2000, #919 in 2010, and #7,889 in 2025. Of the 5,898 US girls named Abagail since records began, 47% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,373 babies. Since 2010, 1,544 more have been named Abagail.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Miya, Marin, Magdalena, Jaslyn, and Dania.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Abagail is usually pronounced AB-uh-gayl, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-il”.
Middle names for Abagail
A few middle names that flow with Abagail: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Abagail
Similar names
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Lists that include Abagail
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abagail mean?
Abagail is a Hebrew and American (modern coinage) name that means “my father is joy”.
What is the origin of the name Abagail?
Abagail has Hebrew and modern American roots. Abagail is a variant spelling of Abigail, from the Hebrew Avigayil, usually translated as my father is joy.
Is Abagail a popular name?
Not especially. Abagail ranked #7,889 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Abagail a boy or girl name?
Abagail is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Abagail?
Abagail is usually pronounced AB-uh-gayl. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings