A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Abe since 1880
Babies named Abe per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Abe's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 443 |
| 1890s | 504 |
| 1900s | 572 |
| 1910s | 2,099 |
| 1920s | 1,502 |
| 1930s | 694 |
| 1940s | 576 |
| 1950s | 561 |
| 1960s | 423 |
| 1970s | 352 |
| 1980s | 274 |
| 1990s | 229 |
| 2000s | 454 |
| 2010s | 655 |
| 2020s | 356 |
Meaning & origin
Abe reached its peak popularity in 1898, ranking highest that year. After declining for much of the 20th century, it has been slowly rising since 1993. In 2025, it ranked 2,207th with about 1 in 26,689 babies receiving the name. Abe was most common in New Jersey and New York during its early years. As a short form of Abraham, it carries a strong biblical and historical association, notably with President Abraham Lincoln. Its revival reflects a broader trend of vintage nickname names returning to favor.
Abe is a short form of Abraham, which derives from the Hebrew Avraham, meaning 'father of many' or 'father of a multitude.' The name Abraham is of uncertain original composition, but it is traditionally associated with the biblical patriarch. Abe has been used as an independent given name in the United States since the 19th century, often in honor of Abraham Lincoln.
Where Abe is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Sibling names for Abe
Names that share Abe's style, for a brother or sister.
