Abel

At a Glance: Name: Abel – Meaning: breath, vapor (fleeting) – Origin: Hebrew – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: AY-bul

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Abel is a Hebrew name, pronounced AY-bul, with a meaning of "breath" or "vapor" — something fleeting rather than solid. It falls into the timeless, classic category, the kind of name that doesn't chase trends. If you like a short, Biblically rooted name with a meaning that leans poetic rather than bold, Abel is worth a look.

Meaning & Origin of Abel

Meaning: Breath, vapor (fleeting).

Origin: Hebrew.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Abel

Phonetic: AY-bul   IPA: /ˈeɪbəl/

Popularity of Abel

Abel hit its high point in 2015 at #124, when 3,244 boys were given the name; by 2024 it had cooled to #220, with 1,627 babies named Abel that year.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Abel Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Abel, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Abraham
• Adam
• Aron
• Aziel
• Baruch
• Caleb

FAQ

What does the name Abel mean?

Breath, vapor (fleeting). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Abel)

How do you pronounce Abel?

Abel is pronounced AY-bul (IPA: /ˈeɪbəl/).

Is Abel a popular name right now?

Abel peaked at #124 in 2015 and is ranked #220 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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