Quick Facts on Abbey
- Number of syllables:
- Ranking popularity:
Etymology & Historical Origin - Abbey
Abbey is short for Abigail. Abigail is a Hebrew name, from “Avigayil” which means “Father’s joy”. Abigail appears in the Bible in 1 Samuel 25-30 as Nabal’s wife “…and the name of his wife Abigail, and she was a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance.” The lovely Abigail is remembered fondly in the Bible for bringing King David offerings after her husband, Nabal, callously refused David and his soldiers supplies even after the men protected Nabal’s shepherds and possessions from harm. Therefore, it was no surprise when, upon the death of Nabal, David asked the kind Abigail to marry him and she accepted. Her name came into popular usage in England in the 16th century, during the Reformation and under the influence of the Puritans (who brought the name to the New World in the 17th century). Interestingly, Abigail was a typical character name used in 17th century literature for a lady’s maid or servant. The pet forms of the name, Abby, Abbie, Abbey, and Gail have all developed into independently given names in their own right.
Popularity of the Name Abbey
Not only is Abbey the last of the “Abby” names to find a place on America’s Top 1000 list (1978), but she’s also the least preferred of the three spellings. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Abbey shares her spelling with a building that houses monks and nuns (an abbey is essentially a monastery or a convent). Then again, the Abbey spelling also makes us think of Abbey Road, the location of the studios where the Beatles recorded one of their final albums (also called Abbey Road). From this perspective, Abbey could be considered a musically inspired name. There’s no doubt that Abbey is a cute name (like Allie or Annie). It’s bubbly, colloquial, upbeat and friendly. It’s definitely more everyday and informal when compared to Abigail; Abbey is a name for the casual, laid-back types. Depending on your preference, Abby is the most popular spelling in the U.S., followed by the sweetly old-fashioned Abbie, and in last place we have your sturdy little Abbey.
Popularity of the Girl Name Abbey
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Cultural References to the Baby Name - Abbey
Literary Characters of the Baby Name Abbey
Abbey We cannot find any significant literary characters with the first name Abbey.
Popular Songs on Abbey
Abbey - We cannot find any popular or well-known songs featuring the name Abbey.
Children's Books on the Baby Name Abbey
Good Day for Abbey (Susan Yost Filgate) - Part of the Rip Squeak series. Abbey the kitten is all alone and wishes she had a friend. The day improves when she meets Rip Squeak and his friends. Recommended for ages 3-6.
Famous People Named Abbey
Famous People Named Abbey - Abbey Lincoln (jazz musician)
Children of Famous People Named Abbey
Famous People Who Named Their Daughter Abbey - We cannot find any celebrities or famous people who have named their child Abbey.
Abbey - Girl Baby Name - Historic Figures
Abbey - We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Abbey.
Personality of the Girl Name Abbey
The number Eight personality has everything to do with power, wealth and abundance. Somehow, this personality has been blessed on the material plane, but their authoritative and problem-solving traits provide evidence that their good fortunes are not just the luck of the lottery. They are well earned. This is the personality of CEOs and high-ranking military personnel. Eights are intensely active, hard-driving individuals. Success is only meaningful to them after a job well-done. They are remarkable in their ability to see the larger picture right down to the smallest details, and organize a strategy around success. They then have the ability to direct a group around them toward any goal, and realize individual potential to get the most out of their team.
Variations of the Baby Name - Abbey