Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Abigael
GirlHebrew· “variant of Abigail, my father's joy”
- Meaning
- variant of Abigail, my father's joy
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- AB-ih-gayl
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #5,555
- US babies 2025
- 22
- Best rank
- #2,142 (2002)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Abigael
Abigael is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Abigail, my father's joy”.
Abigael, with its -ael ending, gives Abigail a look that recalls Hebrew-derived names such as Michael and Raphael. The name itself means my father is joy. In the First Book of Samuel, Abigail is the clever and diplomatic wife of Nabal whose quick thinking prevents David from taking revenge, and she later becomes one of David's wives. Abigael is pronounced AB-ih-gayl, the same as Abigail. The spelling has been used in older English records as well as by modern parents. Short forms include Abby and Gail.
Popularity over time
Abigael first appears in US Social Security records in 1980. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,142 in 2002, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 84 were named Abigael. In 2025, 22 babies were named Abigael, and it ranked #5,555 nationally. That is 49% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #9,095 in 1980, #2,278 in 2000, #2,642 in 2010, and #5,555 in 2025. Of the 1,959 US girls named Abigael since records began, 36% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 551 babies. Since 2010, 757 more have been named Abigael.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Maja, Jozlyn, Shaelynn, Yanely, and Shamiya.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Abigael is usually pronounced AB-ih-gayl, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with A and ends in “-el”.
Middle names for Abigael
A few middle names that flow with Abigael: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Abigael
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Lists that include Abigael
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abigael mean?
Abigael is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Abigail, my father's joy”.
What is the origin of the name Abigael?
Abigael has Hebrew roots. Abigael, with its -ael ending, gives Abigail a look that recalls Hebrew-derived names such as Michael and Raphael.
Is Abigael a popular name?
Not especially. Abigael ranked #5,555 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Abigael a boy or girl name?
Abigael is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Abigael?
Abigael is usually pronounced AB-ih-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