Abel is a male given name of Hebrew origin, meaning "breath" or "vapor." It is derived from the Hebrew word "hevel," which is also the name of the second son of Adam and Eve in the Bible. Abel was a shepherd, and his brother Cain became jealous of him because God favored Abel's offerings over his own. In his anger, Cain killed Abel, making it one of the first recorded incidents of violence in the Bible.
The name Abel has been used throughout history, with notable figures bearing this name including several saints and martyrs in the Catholic Church. One such figure is Saint Abel, a sixth-century bishop of Alexandreia who was martyred during the Persian persecution of Christians.
In literature and art, Abel has also been a popular choice for characters and subjects. For example, "Abel" is the title of a novel by French author Maurice Genevoix, which tells the story of a young soldier who dies in World War I. Additionally, the Belgian painter Jacob Jordaens created several works featuring Abel, including a notable painting called "The Death of Abel."
Today, Abel remains a popular given name around the world, with its meaning and biblical origins continuing to inspire parents in their choice of names for their children.
"The name Abel has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half. With only single-digit births per year from 1880 to 1952, it was relatively uncommon. However, starting in 1953, there's a notable increase, reaching triple digits by 1961. The name gains considerable traction from the late 1970s onwards, peaking in 2015 with 3242 births. Recent years have shown a decline, with 2023 seeing 1648 births."