Abel

Meaning of Abel

The name Abel means 'breath' or 'vapor.' It suggests something fleeting or transient, like a sigh or a puff of air.

Abel has Hebrew roots — browse every Hebrew baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Abel

Abel has cooled off, slipping to #231 in 2025, down from a peak of #124 in 2015.

Notable people named Abel

• Abel Tesfaye
  Canadian singer-songwriter (The Weeknd)
• Abelardo "El Divo" Rodríguez
  Mexican baseball pitcher
• Abel Gance
  French filmmaker, silent era
• Abel Ferrara
  American film director, "Bad Lieutenant"
• Abelardo López
  Mexican politician, governor

More Hebrew names

Questions about the name Abel

What does the name Abel mean?

Abel means the name abel means 'breath' or 'vapor.' it suggests something fleeting or transient, like a sigh or a puff of air, and it comes from Hebrew origins.

Is Abel a boy's or a girl's name?

Abel is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Abel?

In 2025, Abel ranked #231 for boys, down from #220 the year before.

When was Abel most popular?

Abel peaked at #124 in 2015.