Boy Old & New Testament Known
Abel
a city; mourning
הֶ֫בֶל Ἄβελ he.vel
Abel (Hebrew: הֶ֫בֶל, he.vel) means “a city; mourning”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 9 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 1,530 children in the United States, ranking 231. Use is falling away. Around 66,198 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Berechiah in Matthew 23.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Abel
son of Adam
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 9 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Patriarchal
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Abel | rank 231 · 1,530 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Brazil | ABEL | 26,891 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | ABEL | 25,208 bearers · mean age 35.4 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Abel | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 1,530 | Falling |
| All-time total | 66,198 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 3,255 in 2015 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 4:2 |
| Last appears | Hebrews 12:24 |
| Cross-references | 323 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Zechariah co-occurrence Appears with Zechariah in Matthew 23.
- Cain co-occurrence Appears with Cain in Genesis 4.
- Berechiah co-occurrence Appears with Berechiah in Matthew 23.
- Seth co-occurrence Appears with Seth in Genesis 4.
- Enoch co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Enoch.
- Irad co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Irad.
- Jabal co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Jabal.
- Ishmael root Shares the element -el, “God”.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.4.2;
son of: Adam (H0121) and Eve (H2332);
brother of: Cain (H7014B) and Seth (H8352)
Also named: Abel (Ἄβελ "Abel" G0006)
§ Abel = "breath"
second son of Adam and Eve, killed by his brother Cain
Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd who was killed by his brother Cain.
The biblical story
Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, born after his brother Cain. He was a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. Both brothers brought offerings to God, but God accepted Abel's offering and rejected Cain's. This led to Cain's jealousy and anger, and he killed Abel in a field.
God confronted Cain about Abel's murder, and as a result, Cain was cursed to be a wanderer on the earth. The New Testament references Abel as an example of faith (Heb.11.4) and as a righteous man whose blood cried out for justice (Mat.23.35; Luk.11.51). Abel's blood is also contrasted with the blood of Jesus, which speaks of better things (Heb.12.24). After Abel's death, Adam and Eve had another son named Seth.
Key verses
Abel appears in 9 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Genesis 4:2 -
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Genesis 4:4 -
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Genesis 4:8 -
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
Genesis 4:9 -
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
Genesis 4:25
Show all 9 references
Genesis (5)
- Genesis 4:2
- Genesis 4:4
- Genesis 4:8
- Genesis 4:9
- Genesis 4:25
Matthew (1)
- Matthew 23:35
Luke (1)
- Luke 11:51
Hebrews (2)
- Hebrews 11:4
- Hebrews 12:24