Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Abe
BoyHebrew, English· “short for Abraham: father of multitudes”
- Meaning
- short for Abraham: father of multitudes
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- AYB
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,207
- US babies 2025
- 64
- Best rank
- #215 (1898)
- Peak year
- 1917
Meaning and origin of Abe
Abe is a Hebrew and English name that means “short for Abraham: father of multitudes”.
Abe is a short form of Abraham, the patriarch of Genesis whose name is explained in the Bible as father of multitudes. Its most famous bearer is Abraham Lincoln, known to Americans as Honest Abe. The name has a warm, grandfatherly feel that fits the current interest in brief vintage names such as Gus and Hal. The pronunciation is AYB, one syllable. Parents can give Abraham as the full name and use Abe every day, or register Abe on its own. The Japanese surname Abe is unrelated and pronounced differently. Simple and unfussy, it comes with plenty of history behind it.
Popularity over time
Abe 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 78 different years. Its best national rank was #215 in 1898, and the most babies received it in 1917, when 280 were named Abe. In 2025, 64 babies were named Abe, and it ranked #2,207 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #408 in 1920, #1,037 in 1950, #1,619 in 1980, #2,864 in 2000, #2,324 in 2010, and #2,207 in 2025. Of the 9,694 US boys named Abe since records began, 22% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 1,502 babies. Since 2010, 1,011 more have been named Abe.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Isadore, Booker, Pasquale, Ellsworth, and Ferdinand.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Abe ranked highest in New Jersey and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #577 | 12 |
| New York | #716 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Abe is usually pronounced AYB, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with A and ends in “-be”.
Middle names for Abe
A few middle names that flow with Abe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Abe
Similar names
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Lists that include Abe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abe mean?
Abe is a Hebrew and English name that means “short for Abraham: father of multitudes”.
What is the origin of the name Abe?
Abe has Hebrew and English roots. Abe is a short form of Abraham, the patriarch of Genesis whose name is explained in the Bible as father of multitudes.
Is Abe a popular name?
Not especially. Abe ranked #2,207 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Abe a boy or girl name?
Abe is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Abe?
Abe is usually pronounced AYB. 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