MallowbyNames

Abegail

AB-uh-gayl · Of uncertain origin, likely a variant of Abigail, meaning 'my father is joy' in Hebrew.

Peak popularity
2000
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Abegail since 1981

Babies named Abegail per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1223351990200020102020Most births 2000Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1980s34
1990s121
2000s242
2010s118
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Abegail is a rare variant spelling of Abigail, a name with deep biblical roots. First recorded in the United States in 1981, it saw modest use through the 2000s and peaked in 2000, when it was given to approximately five baby girls per million. Since then, its use has remained stable, never cracking the national top 1000. While Abigail itself has been a Top 10 name for much of the 21st century, the Abegail spelling has remained an uncommon alternative, chosen by parents seeking a slightly simpler or more phonetic form. It has been recorded in no state with enough frequency to list as a top state, suggesting scattered, nationwide usage.

Abegail is a variant spelling of Abigail, derived from the Hebrew name Avigail, combining 'av' (father) and 'gil' (joy). In the Old Testament, Abigail was the wife of King David, known for her wisdom and beauty. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation, with Abegail emerging as a phonetic, simplified spelling in the late 20th century.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Abby, Gail, Abbi

Variants: Abigail, Abigaíl, Abigale, Avigail

Sibling names for Abegail

Names that share Abegail's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Abegail, our favorite little girl.

A is for Abegail…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Abegail's letter becomes Abegail's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Abegail mean?
Abegail is a variant of Abigail, which in Hebrew means 'my father is joy.'
Is Abegail currently a popular name?
Abegail has never ranked in the U.S. top 1000 names. It was given to a small number of girls each year, with a peak in 2000. As of the latest data from 2025, it remains relatively rare.
Is Abegail a boy or girl name?
Abegail is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.