Abernathy is an uncommon given name of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish surname Abernethy which means 'from the mouth of the river Nethy'. It is often associated with the Abernathy family who were significant in Scottish history and held lands around the town of Abernethy in Perthshire. The name has gained some popularity in recent times, particularly in the United States, due to its unique sound and its connection to historical figures.
"The name Abernathy saw a steady increase from 6 births in 2008 to its peak of 8 in 2012, followed by fluctuations with 7 and 5 births in the years following. Overall, there were 33 babies named Abernathy born between 2008 and 2015."