Abigail sits comfortably in the UK charts at #154 in 2024 — recognisable but not overwhelming. Your child may occasionally share their name.
Origin & Meaning
Hebrew — Father's joy
📊
UK Rank 2024
#154
US Rank #32
About the Name Abigail
Abigail is gradually declining in popularity, having dropped 67 places over five years. Its high point was #19 in 2000, and it now sits at #154. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 25 of the last 29 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
In terms of origin, Abigail is rooted in Hebrew, where it means "Father's joy". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Abigail is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #32, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Abigail
Unlikely. With around 331 UK babies named Abigail per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Abigail in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Abigail has been declining in UK popularity, dropping 67 places in the last five years. Its peak was #19 in 2000. Choosing it now means she is likely to be among the last of her generation with this name.
The name Abigail has Hebrew origins and means "Father's joy". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Abigail include: Abigail Morris (musician) — Abigail Mary Eliza Kemp Morris is an English musician and the lead singer for the indie rock band The Last Dinner Party.; Abigail Spanberger — Abigail Anne Spanberger is an American politician and former intelligence officer serving since 2026 as the 75th governor of Virginia.; Abigail Klein — Abigail Klein is an American actress and former professional cheerleader..
Abigail ranks #32 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
331
UK babies named Abigail (2024)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.2
In a school of 600
↓ 67 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Abigail
Likely around 1 other Abigail in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Abigail
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Gail Ann Lawrence, professionally usually credited as Abigail Clayton, was an American pornographic actress active during the Golden Age of Porn. She was inducted into the XRCO Hall of Fame in 2008.
Abigail Williams was an 11 or 12-year-old girl who, along with nine-year-old Betty Parris, was among the first of the children to accuse their neighbors of witchcraft in 1692; these accusations eventually led to the Salem witch trials.
Abigail Anne Spanberger is an American politician and former intelligence officer serving since 2026 as the 75th governor of Virginia. A member of the Democratic Party, she served from 2019 to 2025 as the U.S.
Abigail Klein is an American actress and former professional cheerleader. She is best known for playing the role of Stephanie Johnson on the NBC and Peacock Daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives since 2022.
Abigail Adams Smith, nicknamed "Nabby", was a daughter of Abigail and John Adams, founding father and second President of the United States, and the older sister of John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States. She was named for her mother.
Abigail Pierrepont Johnson is an American billionaire businesswoman, heiress and chief executive of Fidelity Investments. Her family and their affliates own approximately 40% of Fidelity Investments, which was founded by her grandfather, Edward C.
Abigail Cowen is an American actress and model. She is known for playing Dorcas in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Bloom in Netflix's live-action adaptation of Winx Club titled Fate: The Winx Saga.