Abraham is a name of Hebrew origin that has been widely recognized and used across different cultures throughout history. The name first appears in the Hebrew Bible as the patriarch Abraham, who was the founding father of the Israelites according to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
The name Abraham means "father of many nations" or "exalted father." This meaning is derived from its components: "Av" (אב) which means father, and "Ham" (הם) which means multitude. The name reflects Abraham's role as the ancestor of many nations, including Israelites, Arabs, and others.
The name Abraham has been popular throughout history and has been used by various notable figures. Some examples include:
* Abraham ibn Ezra (1089-1167), a renowned Spanish Jewish philosopher, poet, and biblical commentator.
* Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th President of the United States who led his country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War.
* Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598), a Flemish cartographer known for his work in compiling the first modern world atlas.
In addition to its historical significance, the name Abraham continues to be popular today. According to data from the Social Security Administration, Abraham ranked as the 430th most popular boy's name in the United States in 2020.
Overall, Abraham is a name with deep roots in history and culture that carries a significant meaning. Its widespread use across different religions and cultures is a testament to its enduring appeal.
The name Abraham experienced fluctuations in popularity over the decades, with peaks in the late 80s and early 90s, and a steady decline from the late 90s onwards. The highest number of births in any given year was ten, which occurred seven times between 1978 and 2014. However, the total number of births over this period remained consistently below ten per year, with an average of approximately eight births per year.