What Does the Name Abel Mean?

Abel is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “breath, vapor.”

Updated June 2026

Name	Abel
Gender	male
Origin	Hebrew
Meaning	breath, vapor
Variants	Abe, Abelard, Avel, Habel
Popularity	A steady, modestly popular boys' name in the U.S., typically ranking within the top 150 to 200 in recent years; also common in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries.

The meaning and origin of Abel

The name Abel means “breath, vapor” and has Hebrew origins. A biblical name from Hebrew Hevel, meaning 'breath' or 'vapor,' borne by the second son of Adam and Eve, who was slain by his brother Cain. It has been used as a Christian given name across Europe since the Middle Ages.

Variants and related names

Abel is related to several other names you may recognize: Abe, Abelard, Avel, Habel. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.

How popular is the name Abel?

A steady, modestly popular boys' name in the U.S., typically ranking within the top 150 to 200 in recent years; also common in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Popularity matters when you need believable test data: a name that fits the era or region you are modeling makes a generated profile look real. You can generate a complete fictional profile using the name Abel below.

Generate a fake Abel profile

Need a complete fictional identity using the name Abel? Generate a full profile — address, phone, email and more — for testing and privacy.