Rising since 1990, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Abi since 1973
Babies named Abi per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 23 |
| 1980s | 69 |
| 1990s | 91 |
| 2000s | 180 |
| 2010s | 185 |
| 2020s | 84 |
Meaning & origin
Abi emerged as a standalone given name in the United States in 1973. Initially a nickname for Abigail, it gained independent use and has seen rising popularity since the 1990s. Its peak year was 2016, when it reached its highest rank. The name remains relatively uncommon, with only about 1 in 160,727 girls receiving it in 2025. It is primarily used in English-speaking countries and is considered a modern, informal choice.
Abi originated as a diminutive of Abigail, from the Hebrew name Avigayil meaning 'my father is joy'. Used independently since the late 20th century, it gained traction as a standalone name, particularly in English-speaking countries.
“Abi” around the world
Where Abi lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Abi
Names that share Abi's style, for a brother or sister.

