Abner
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 9,178 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A cousin of Saul mentioned in the Old Testament.
Abner is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Avner meaning "father is a light" or "my father is a lamp," composed of av (father) and ner (lamp, light). In the Old Testament, Abner was the commander of King Saul's army — a man of authority and loyalty.
Abner has been undergoing a quiet revival as parents rediscover long-dormant Old Testament names. It carries the gravitas of a genuine biblical name with the rare quality of being barely used for nearly a century — making it feel genuinely fresh for the 21st century.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Abner's final sounds are active, energetic — often found in English occupational-style names. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Abner softens that pattern, giving it a more versatile feel.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Abner's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Abner climbed 335 spots in the last 20 years — from #1172 to #837.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,139 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,861 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 1,343 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 727 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 454 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 276 | — |
| 1960s | 305 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 266 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 328 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 419 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 691 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 683 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 215 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 207 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 264 | — |
The Story of Abner
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Abner is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Abner are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Abner?
Only about 1 in every 12,287 babies born in 2024 was named Abner — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2010s with 1,861 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Abner by the numbers
- Would fill 191 school buses
- Meeting one Abner per day would take 25.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 293 | #837 |
| 2023 | 221 | #997 |
| 2022 | 191 | #1113 |
| 2021 | 215 | #1021 |
| 2020 | 219 | #976 |
| 2019 | 182 | #1092 |
| 2018 | 203 | #1016 |
| 2017 | 195 | #1029 |
| 2016 | 200 | #1012 |
| 2015 | 199 | #1018 |
| 2014 | 202 | #1012 |
| 2013 | 195 | #1004 |
| 2012 | 157 | #1161 |
| 2011 | 166 | #1108 |
| 2010 | 162 | #1143 |
| 2009 | 150 | #1202 |
| 2008 | 149 | #1188 |
| 2007 | 173 | #1073 |
| 2006 | 156 | #1116 |
| 2005 | 132 | #1201 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Abner a boy's or girl's name?
When was Abner most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024