How Many People Are Named Abel?

Complete statistics for the name Abel: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Abel
Rare
Hebrew

Abel means 'breath' and has biblical roots, making it both rare and meaningful. It's estimated that 1 in 5,581 Americans today are named Abel, with around 59,129 people bearing this name in the US. The name peaked in popularity in 2015, showing its recent rise among younger generations.

~17,596
Living in US
1 in 18,837
Americans
2015
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Breath
🌐
Origin
Hebrew
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 11
Personality Traits
Peaceful Humble
11
Life Path Number

Life path number 11 is often associated with spiritual insight and visionary leadership.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

324,820
Worldwide Bearers
#775
Global Rank
🇵🇪 Peru
31,196
🇺🇬 Uganda
28,527
🇨🇺 Cuba
28,408
🇿🇦 South Africa
27,918
🇪🇸 Spain
25,293
🇰🇪 Kenya
21,600
🇿🇲 Zambia
20,160
🇨🇲 Cameroon
16,918
🇵🇭 Philippines
13,241
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
12,218

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
58,976 (100%)
♀ Female
153 (0%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 27
43,226
Would be under 30 (67%)
13,761
Would be 30–60 (21%)
7,643
Would be over 60 (12%)

All 64,630 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 2015

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Rising

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
99
Classic Feel
36
Modern Appeal
84
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Abel Through the Generations

Abel stands out as a name that's gaining traction among modern parents. With 59,129 people named Abel currently living in the United States, it's clear that this name has a strong presence. Interestingly, 67% of those named Abel are under 30 years old, indicating a significant shift towards younger generations adopting this name. The peak year for Abel was 2015, with 3,254 births, suggesting a growing trend in recent times. This younger demographic also skews the average age of Abel to 27, with 43,226 individuals under 30, 13,761 aged between 30 and 60, and 7,643 over 60.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

California 14,341
Texas 14,180
Illinois 2,323
Arizona 2,262
New York 2,040
Florida 2,002
North Carolina 1,283
Colorado 1,199
Michigan 1,179
New Mexico 1,149

⭐ Famous People Named Abel

Abel is a biblical first name which may derive from the Hebrew Hebel, itself derived from hevel, or from the Assyrian for son. In reference to the biblical story, Abel is usually linked with his brother who killed him, as in Cain and Abel.…

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Abel

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Abel's Hebrew roots

📄 About the Name Abel

How Many People Have the Name Abel?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 17,596 people in the United States currently share the name Abel. That works out to roughly 1 in every 18,837 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.

Is Abel a Common or Rare Name?

Abel is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Abel Mean?

Abel means "breath" and comes from Hebrew origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 11.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Abel in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.

When Was Abel Most Popular?

The name Abel reached peak popularity in 2015, with 3,254 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Abel?

Approximately 17,596 people named Abel live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 17,596. That works out to roughly 1 in 18,837 Americans.

Is Abel a rare name?

Abel is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 18,837 Americans has this name.

What does the name Abel mean?

Abel means "breath" and comes from Hebrew origins.

Is Abel more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Abel are male and 0% are female.

When was Abel most popular?

Abel peaked in 2015 with 3,254 births that year. Current trend: Rising.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US17,596
All-Time Births17,596
1 in X1 in 18,837
RarityRare
GenderMale
Avg Age27
Peak Year2015
World Rank#775
Male %100%
Female %0%

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Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.