Declining since 2008, #7,885 for girls today.
Popularity of Abagail since 1950
Babies named Abagail per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 15 |
| 1960s | 19 |
| 1970s | 69 |
| 1980s | 237 |
| 1990s | 1,240 |
| 2000s | 2,774 |
| 2010s | 1,373 |
| 2020s | 171 |
Meaning & origin
Abagail, a variant spelling of the classic Abigail, saw its highest usage in the United States in 2008, with subsequent years showing a steady decline in popularity. By 2025, it ranked 7,885th, with only about 1 in 123,636 newborn girls receiving this particular spelling. Though it has never been among the top names nationally, it remains a recognizable alternative to the more common Abigail, which has enjoyed much broader appeal. The name's Hebrew roots tie it to a biblical figure admired for her intelligence and diplomacy, but the phonetic spelling Abagail never achieved the widespread adoption of the standard Abigail or even other variants like Abigale. Its trajectory reflects a clear downward trend since its peak, suggesting that parents increasingly prefer the traditional spelling.
Abagail is a variant spelling of Abigail, from the Hebrew name Avigayil, meaning 'my father is joy' or 'father of exaltation.' In the Hebrew Bible, Abigail was the wife of King David, known for her wisdom and beauty. The name has been consistently used in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation, with the spelling Abagail emerging as a less common phonetic variant in the United States.
Where Abagail is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Abby, Abi, Gail
Sibling names for Abagail
Names that share Abagail's style, for a brother or sister.
