Abigail \a-bi-gail\ as a girl's name is pronounced AB-ih-gayl. It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Abigail is "father of exaltation". Biblical: the name of King David's third wife, described as "good in discretion and beautiful in form". She referred to herself as David's "handmaid", and her name became widely used as a term for a lady's maid. The name first came into use in Britain in the 16th century, under Puritan influence. Abbie, Abbey, and Abby are pet forms, Abegail is the Spanish form. Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, advice columnist Abigail Van Buren. Abigail has 42 variant forms: Abagael, Abagail, Abagale, Abageal, Abagil, Abaigael, Abba, Abbe, Abbee, Abbegail, Abbegale, Abbey, Abbi, Abbie, Abbigael, Abbigail, Abbigale, Abbigayle, Abby, Abbye, Abbygael, Abbygail, Abbygale, Abegail, Abegale, Abgail, Abigael, Abigal, Abigale, Abigall, Abigayl, Abigayle, Abigel, Abigil, Abigayle, Gael, Gail, Gaila, Gal, Gale, Gayel and Gayle. For more information, see also the related name Avichayil. A baby name that sounds like Abigail is Abichall. View a list of the 3 names that reference Abigail.
