Abby is a diminutive of the name Abigail, which has Hebrew origins and means "my father is joy." This name has been popular throughout history and has been used in various cultures.
The name Abby first gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century and has since become a common choice for girls. It is often associated with characters from television shows, movies, and books, such as Abigail "Abby" Sciuto from the hit series CSI or Abby Wambach, the renowned American soccer player.
Despite its popularity, the name Abby remains simple and easy to pronounce, making it a versatile choice for parents looking for a unique yet recognizable name for their daughter. Its Hebrew origins also give it a touch of exoticism and cultural richness.
Overall, the name Abby is a charming and appealing option that combines simplicity with history and cultural significance. Whether you're looking for a classic name with a modern twist or a unique name with deep roots, Abby could be an excellent choice.
The name Abby has been a popular choice for parents in the United States since the late 19th century. The first recorded birth of a girl named Abby was in 1880, with only six such births that year. The following year, seven girls were named Abby at birth, and this number fluctuated throughout the decade.
In the early 20th century, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Abby. In 1925, there were 26 births of girls named Abby, marking the first time that more than 20 girls with this name were born in a single year. This trend continued throughout the 1930s and 1940s, with the number of Abby births ranging from 18 to 52 per year.
The 1950s saw an even greater surge in popularity for the name Abby. In 1957, there were 169 girls named Abby at birth, more than doubling the previous record high of 85 births in 1953. The following decade saw continued growth in the number of Abbs born each year, with a peak of 286 births in 1962.
The 1970s and 1980s were the most popular decades for the name Abby. In 1978, there were 619 births of girls named Abby, marking the first time that more than 500 girls with this name were born in a single year. This record was surpassed in 1979, with 791 births, and again in 1980, with 930 births.
The popularity of the name Abby continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with more than 1,000 girls named Abby born each year between 1981 and 2000. The highest number of Abby births during this period was in 1994, with 1,372 births.
Since the turn of the millennium, there has been a gradual decline in the popularity of the name Abby. In 2001, there were 1,986 births of girls named Abby, but by 2022 this number had decreased to just 475 births.
Overall, the name Abby has been given to more than 60,990 girls in the United States since records began. Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, it remains a well-loved and widely-used name for parents choosing a name that is both unique and familiar.