Given name
Abbigail
“father of exaltation”·“the source of a father”
Abbigail is a variant of Abigail. Hebrew interpretations include “father of exaltation” and “the source of a father’s joy.” Its later use for a lady’s maid in English literature is a separate cultural association.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Abbigail is a variant of Abigail. Hebrew interpretations include “father of exaltation” and “the source of a father’s joy.” Its later use for a lady’s maid in English literature is a separate cultural association.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Abbigail is a variant of Abigail. Abigail is a biblical name with Hebrew roots. In Ireland it has also served as an English form of Gobnait, although the reason for that pairing is unclear.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
Abbigail is a variant of Abigail. The shared background comes through Abigail: The Hebrew naming tradition and the later Irish pairing with Gobnait are separate contexts. Abigail’s use for Gobnait does not establish a shared linguistic derivation; Abbie and Abbey are recorded affectionate forms.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1959. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Abbigail is a variant of Abigail. The history of Abigail gives this family its wider story. The biblical Abigail married David after her earlier marriage to Nabal. Puritan influence helped the name spread in the seventeenth century. In literature it also became associated with a lady’s maid, including in The Scornful Lady of 1616; that use may echo the biblical Abigail describing herself as a servant.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Abbigail through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 12,159
- 5 boys · 12,154 girls
- Most popular year
- 2009
- 676 babies
- 2025
- 39
- #3,780 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −66%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 39 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 3,780 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 65.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 676 in 2009. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 9,864 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Abbigail’s family of names
Abbigail has a related form in Abigail.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
Similar names
If you love Abbigail, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Abagail
“father of exaltation” · “the source of a father”
>99% girls
Gaby
“man of God” · “a hero of God”
>99% girls
Emanuella
“God is with us”
>99% girls
Emanuela
“God is with us” · “one who is greatly loved”
>99% girls
Eryn
“woman from Ireland” · “a man from Ireland”
3% boys · 97% girls
Daniella
“God is my judge”
>99% girls
Gabriella
“man of God” · “a hero of God”
>99% girls
Ellyce
“the Lord is my God” · “Jehovah is my God”
>99% girls