Declining since 1998, #5,722 for girls today.
Popularity of Abbey since 1917
Babies named Abbey per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 8 |
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 17 |
| 1940s | 60 |
| 1950s | 158 |
| 1960s | 188 |
| 1970s | 860 |
| 1980s | 3,688 |
| 1990s | 5,608 |
| 2000s | 4,935 |
| 2010s | 1,764 |
| 2020s | 218 |
Meaning & origin
Abbey emerged as a given name in its own right in the 20th century, first recorded in 1917 but gaining notable usage in the 1990s. It reached its peak rank in 1999, reflecting the popularity of diminutive names like Abby and trendy -ey endings. Since 1998, its trajectory has been falling, and in 2025 it ranked 5,722 with a frequency of 1 in 76,537 births. The name has not charted significantly in any U.S. state top lists, remaining a relatively uncommon choice compared to its variant Abby.
Abbey originated as a pet form of Abigail, which comes from the Hebrew name Avigayil, meaning 'my father is joy.' In the late 20th century, Abbey began to be used as a standalone given name, likely influenced by the popular nickname Abby and the fashionable -ey ending. Its rise in the 1990s coincided with a broader trend for names ending in 'y' or 'ey.'
Where Abbey 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: Ab, Abs
Sibling names for Abbey
Names that share Abbey's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Abbey
Names whose popularity has moved with Abbey's over the last 50 years.
