Abel

Abel is a boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning Breath; life.

What Abel means

Breath; life.

Abel is short — 4 letters, and ends on a consonant, which gives it a firmer stop.

Where Abel comes from

Hebrew names are frequently built as short phrases rather than single words, and many are theophoric — they contain a name of God as one element. This is why so many carry a full sentence of meaning.

Abel is recorded as Hebrew in origin. Browse other Hebrew names.

How popular is Abel?

In the boy name rankings we track, Abel falls outside the top 100. That puts it in the broad middle ground where most names live: familiar to those who know it, uncommon enough to still feel like a choice.

The character of Abel

Two ideas meet in Abel: scripture and Life. Names carrying more than one theme tend to be the ones that suit a wider range of siblings.

Themes: Biblical, Life

Names like Abel

These share Abel's themes, origin, or both — closest first.

  • Eve — Life; the living one.
  • Asher — Happy, blessed, fortunate.
  • Genesis — Origin; the beginning.
  • Aaron — High mountain; exalted.
  • Abraham — Father of multitudes.
  • Abram — Exalted father.
  • Adam — Man; of the earth.
  • Asa — Healer; physician.
  • Benjamin — Son of the right hand.
  • Caleb — Whole-hearted; faithful.
  • Daniel — God is my judge.
  • David — Beloved.

More Hebrew names

  • Aaron — High mountain; exalted.
  • Abigail — My father's joy.
  • Abraham — Father of multitudes.
  • Abram — Exalted father.
  • Adam — Man; of the earth.
  • Adina — Delicate; noble.
  • Ari — Lion; eagle.
  • Ariel — Lion of God.
  • Asa — Healer; physician.
  • Asher — Happy, blessed, fortunate.