Ab
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 375 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Symbol for antibody.
Ab is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, a short form of Abraham, from the Hebrew Avraham meaning 'father of many' — the patriarch of the Abrahamic faiths, father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Ab is as spare and essential as a name can get — a single syllable carrying the weight of one of history's most consequential figures. Used primarily in the 19th century, it has the telegraphic directness of old Puritan naming, where brevity itself was a virtue.
EtymologyShow more
Ab is built from 2 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Hebrew naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Ab creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ab has 31+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 13 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 24 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 244 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 24 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 20 | — |
| 1880s | 21 | — |
The Story of Ab
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2007, Ab is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Ab are most likely born between 1997 and 2017.
How rare is Ab?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ab is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 244 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ab by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Ab per day would take 1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(31 years, 1880–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | #10799 |
| 2020 | 7 | #9557 |
| 2015 | 6 | #10655 |
| 2013 | 7 | #9657 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12292 |
| 2010 | 6 | #10768 |
| 2009 | 10 | #7692 |
| 2008 | 24 | #4147 |
| 2007 | 41 | #2867 |
| 2006 | 32 | #3306 |
| 2005 | 30 | #3319 |
| 2004 | 33 | #3012 |
| 2003 | 25 | #3529 |
| 2002 | 17 | #4503 |
| 2001 | 15 | #4890 |
| 2000 | 17 | #4389 |
| 1999 | 9 | #6529 |
| 1997 | 9 | #6100 |
| 1995 | 6 | #7793 |
| 1946 | 6 | #3173 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ab a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ab most popular?
How popular is the name Ab?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2021