Abigail
[ˈæbɪɡeɪl]Meaning
from the Hebrew name ʾAviḡayil, meaning "my father is joy"
Background Story
The name derives from the Hebrew roots ʾav, "father", and gil, "joy". As an English name it first became common after the Protestant Reformation and was popular among the Puritans. In the 17th century it became a slang term for a servant, especially after the play The Scornful Lady (1616), and it was revived in the 20th century.
Related Names
Abagail
A variant spelling of Abigail, a Hebrew name (אֲבִיגַיִל)
Abbygail
A rare nonstandard spelling of Abigail
Ariella
Feminine form of Ariel, a Hebrew name meaning "lion of God"
Abayomi
A name of Nigerian origin meaning 'bringer of joy' or 'he who brings joy'.
Abbie
English diminutive of Abigail
Abby
A diminutive of Abigail
Aby
A term often used as a shortened version of Abigale, meaning 'father's joy' in Hebrew.
Adalia
Biblical Hebrew name of unknown meaning, possibly Persian
Adeline
French and English form of Adelina, from a root meaning "noble"
Adina
From Hebrew ʿaḏin, "delicate"