Abel is a moderately popular boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #227 in 2016 with 247 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2023 with 345 births ranking #153. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 2,644.4%. In 2016, approximately 1 in every 1,344 boys born was named Abel. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Abel comes from the Hebrew name Hevel and is usually understood to mean "breath" or "vapour". It is a short, ancient biblical name with a soft sound and a long history of use.
In the Bible, Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve. The name entered wider European use through Jewish and Christian tradition and has remained familiar across many languages.