Declining since 2016, #231 for boys today.
Popularity of Abel since 1880
Babies named Abel per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 107 |
| 1890s | 118 |
| 1900s | 121 |
| 1910s | 559 |
| 1920s | 881 |
| 1930s | 939 |
| 1940s | 1,225 |
| 1950s | 2,088 |
| 1960s | 2,665 |
| 1970s | 3,528 |
| 1980s | 4,730 |
| 1990s | 6,484 |
| 2000s | 8,364 |
| 2010s | 23,554 |
| 2020s | 10,674 |
Meaning & origin
Abel has maintained steady usage in the United States since records began in 1880, but its popularity has grown significantly in recent years. It reached its peak rank in 2015, and while its trajectory has been falling since 2016, it remains a familiar choice. The name is especially common in Rhode Island, Maine, and New Mexico. With a current ranking of 231 and a rate of about 1 in 1,120 births, Abel balances biblical heritage with modern appeal.
Abel derives from the Hebrew name Hevel, meaning 'breath' or 'vapor,' a reference to the fleeting nature of life. In the Old Testament, Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve, murdered by his brother Cain. Despite its somber biblical association, the name has been used throughout Christian history, especially in Puritan England, and has seen a resurgence in recent decades.
Where Abel 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.
“Abel” around the world
Where Abel lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#95
in 2024
Ireland
8
babies in 2025
New Zealand
17
babies in 2025
Quebec
20
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Abe
Variants: Abelard, Able
Sibling names for Abel
Names that share Abel's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Abel
Names whose popularity has moved with Abel's over the last 50 years.
