Abdel
/ˈæb.dəl/noun
A masculine given name, usually a European transliteration or shortened form of Arabic names beginning with ʿAbd al-.
Did you know?In Arabic names, ʿAbd al- is traditionally followed by one of the divine names, as in ʿAbd Allāh, meaning “servant of God.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
ʿ-b-d
“To serve or worship; the root associated with service and devotion”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ʿabd
“Servant, worshipper, or slave”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
al-
“The definite article, meaning “the””
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
ʿAbd al-
““Servant of the,” a name element placed before a divine name”
19th–20th Century
French/European transliteration
Abdel
“A transliterated form or shortened rendering of ʿAbd al- and related names”
Modern English
English
Abdel
“A masculine personal name used independently or as a short form of longer Arabic names”