Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Abby
GirlHebrew, English· “my father is joy”
- Meaning
- my father is joy
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- A-bee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #731
- US babies 2025
- 379
- Best rank
- #163 (2001)
- Peak year
- 2003
Meaning and origin of Abby
Abby is a Hebrew and English name that means “my father is joy”.
Abby is a short form of Abigail, a name from the Hebrew Bible usually translated as my father is joy. Abigail was a wife of King David, praised for her good sense. In England the name took an unexpected turn when abigail became slang for a lady's maid, but Abby and Abigail both recovered and became steady favorites in the United States. As a given name, Abby sounds bright, friendly and unfussy. Many parents choose Abigail for the birth certificate and use Abby every day, while others prefer the short form alone. Abbie and Abbey are common alternative spellings.
Other spellings with the same sound: Abbie, Abbey, Abbe, Abie.
Popularity over time
Abby has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 82 different years. Its best national rank was #163 in 2001, and the most babies received it in 2003, when 2,048 were named Abby. In 2025, 379 babies were named Abby, and it ranked #731 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,357 in 1920, #1,115 in 1950, #268 in 1980, #205 in 2000, #284 in 2010, and #731 in 2025. Of the 61,855 US girls named Abby since records began, 28% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 13,876 babies. Since 2010, 11,405 more have been named Abby.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Kyla, Delaney, Paris, Mckenna, and Lizbeth.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Abby ranked highest in Iowa, Connecticut, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #390 | 8 |
| Connecticut | #393 | 7 |
| Kentucky | #405 | 10 |
| New Jersey | #470 | 16 |
| Louisiana | #534 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Abby is usually pronounced A-bee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-by”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Abbie, Abbey, Abbe, and Abie.
Middle names for Abby
A few middle names that flow with Abby: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Abby
Similar names
Libby Girl
LIH-bee
“God is my oath” · English
#1,146
Gabby Girl
GA-bee
“pet form of Gabriella, "God is my strength"” · Hebrew
#3,223
Shelby Girl
SHEL-bee
“willow farm” · Old Norse
#649
Evie Girl
EH-vee
“life; pet form of Eve or Evelyn” · English
#270
Dani Girl
DA-nee
“God is my judge” · Hebrew
#747
Darby Girl
DAR-bee
“deer village” · English
#2,564
Sadie Girl
SAY-dee
“diminutive of Sarah; princess” · Hebrew
#50
Ruby Girl
ROO-bee
“red gemstone” · Latin
#64
Mary Girl
MEH-ree
“uncertain; often said bitter or beloved” · Hebrew
#125
Josie Girl
JOH-see
“pet form of Josephine, 'he will add'” · English
#82
Annie Girl
A-nee
“grace, favor” · English
#182
Joey Unisex
JOH-ee
“he will add; short for Joseph” · English
#877
Lists that include Abby
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abby mean?
Abby is a Hebrew and English name that means “my father is joy”.
What is the origin of the name Abby?
Abby has Hebrew and English roots. Abby is a short form of Abigail, a name from the Hebrew Bible usually translated as my father is joy.
Is Abby a popular name?
Yes. Abby ranked #731 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Abby a boy or girl name?
Abby is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Abby?
Abby is usually pronounced A-bee. 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