Abigail

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Abigail

Gender: Feminine
Language: English

Etymology:
Abigail is the modern English form of a Hebrew name. Originally it meant “Father Rejoices.”

History:
Abigail was one of the many Old Testament names (it belonged to one of David’s wives) revived in England after the Reformation. Although especially popular among 17th century Puritans, Abigail fell into disuse during the 18th century when “abigail” became a slang term for a housemaid (a literary reference; the Biblical Abigail called herself a “housemaid,” or “handmaiden”). At the end of the 20th century, Abigail was again revived and became highly popular.

Pronunciation: AB-eh-gale.

Diminutives: Abbey, Abbie, Abby, Gail, Gaila, Gaile, Gale, Gayla, Gayle.

Alternates: Abaegayle, Abagail, Abaigael, Abaigeal, Abbigail, Abbigayle, Abegayle, Abichail, Abigale, Abigayle, Avagail, Avigail.
Dutch: Abigal.
Hawaiian: Apikaila.
Irish: Abiageal.

See also: Abagail, Abbie (Abbey), Abby, Gail (Gayla, Gayle, Gale).

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Abigail Goodrich Whittelsey (1788-1858)
American editor.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Abigail Hopper Gibbons (1801-1893)
American social reformer.
Abigail Kelley Foster (1810-1887)
American abolitionist.
Abigail Jane Scott Duniway (1934-1915)
American suffragette.

Political Figures:
Baronness Abigail Masham of Otes (?-1734)
An advisor to Queen Anne of England
Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818)
The progressive wife of John Adams.

Religious Figures:
Abigail (Biblical)
One of King David’s wives.
Abigail (Biblical)
A sister of King David.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.145 % named Gail
0.043 % named Gayle
0.025 % named Abigail
0.016 % named Abby
0.016 % named Gale
0.008 % named Abbie
0.008 % named Gayla
0.004 % named Abbey

Popularity of Abigail:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1940: N/A
1940-1950: 854th most popular.
1950-1960: 654th most popular.
1960-1970: 615th most popular.
1970-1980: 317th most popular.
1980-1990: 150th most popular.
1990: 90th most popular.
1991: 88th most popular.
1992: 84th most popular.
1993: 67th most popular.
1994: 44th most popular.
1995: 38th most popular.
1996: 33rd most popular.
1996: 33rd most popular.
1997: 24th most popular.
1998: 19th most popular.
1999: 18th most popular.
2000: 14th most popular.
2001: 8th most popular.
2002: 7th most popular.
2003: 6th most popular.

In Ireland...
1998: 106th most popular.
1999: 93rd most popular.
2000: 82nd most popular.
2001: 66th most popular.
2002: 68th most popular.
2003: 54th most popular.

Popularity of Abbigail:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1990: N/A
1994: N/A
1995: 877th most popular.
1996: 779th most popular.
1997: 708th most popular.
1998: 617th most popular.
1999: 619th most popular.
2000: 562nd most popular.
2001: 510th most popular.
2002: 490th most popular.
2003: 516th most popular.

Popularity of Abigayle:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A
1997: N/A
1998: 892nd most popular.
1999: 776th most popular.
2000: 720th most popular.
2001: 722nd most popular.
2002: 750th most popular.
2003: 729th most popular.

Popularity of Abigale:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A
1998: N/A
1999: 936th most popular.
2000: 958th most popular.
2001: 911th most popular.
2002: 864th most popular.
2003: 802nd most popular.