Abel

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Abel

Gender: Masculine, French
Language: English, French
Etymology:
Abel is the English form of a Hebrew name either meaning “Breath” (“havel”) or “Son” (“ablu”).

History:
Abel, the martyred son of Adam and Eve, was common in England during the 13th century, but declined afterwards. It was briefly revived in the 17th century, during the Puritan vogue for Biblical names. Abel has never been as popular as other Biblical names, however; parents were presumably put off by the tragic fate of the Biblical Abel. Currently, in the United States, it is becoming more common.

Pronunciation: ay-bell.

Diminutives: Abe, Ablet, Ablett.
English (Medieval): Nab, Abelot.

Alternates: Abell, Able.
Hebrew (Modern): Hevel.

Surnames:
English: Abel, Abell, Abelson, Able, Nabb, Nabbs.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Abel Bonnard (1883-1968)
French poet.

Educators, Scholar, and Social Workers:
Abel Agenbegyan (1932-)
Georgian economist.

Miscellaneous:
Abel Janszoon Tasman (1603-1659)
Dutch explorer. Discovered Tasmania.

Political Figures:
Abel Parker Upshur (1791-1884)
American legislator.

Religious Figures:
Abel (Biblical)
In the Bible, Abel was a son of Adam and Eve’s. He was murdered by his brother, Cain.

Singers and Entertainers:
Abel Gance (1889-1981)
French filmmaker.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.019 % named Abel

Popularity of Abel:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 664th most popular.
1910-1920: 613th most popular.
1920-1930: 626th most popular.
1930-1940: 575th most popular.
1940-1950: 542nd most popular.
1950-1960: 491st most popular.
1960-1970: 497th most popular.
1970-1980: 422nd most popular.
1980-1990: 381st most popular.
1990: 361st most popular.
1991: 353rd most popular.
1992: 354th most popular.
1993: 359th most popular.
1994: 377th most popular.
1995: 343rd most popular.
1996: 382nd most popular.
1997: 358th most popular.
1998: 374th most popular.
1999: 365th most popular.
2000: 354th most popular.
2001: 358th most popular.
2002: 344th most popular.
2003: 359th most popular.

In France...
1900: 75th most popular.
1910: 65th most popular.
1920: 64th most popular.
1930: 82nd most popular.
1940: 117th most popular.
1950: 156th most popular.
1957: 177th most popular.
1960-2000: N/A