Abigail
/ˈæb.ɪ.ɡeɪl/noun
A feminine given name of Hebrew origin, also formerly used in English for a lady’s maid.
Did you know?In the 17th and 18th centuries, Abigail became a common theatrical and literary name for a female servant because Abigail Hill, a royal servant who became Duchess of Marlborough, was notorious in public life.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
אֲבִיגַיִל (Avigayil)
“A personal name traditionally interpreted as “my father is joy” or “father rejoices””
1st Millennium BCE
Hebrew
אֲבִיגַיִל
“The name of Abigail, the intelligent and beautiful wife of David in the Hebrew Bible”
4th–5th Century
Greek
Ἀβιγαία (Abigaia)
“Greek transliteration of the biblical Hebrew name”
4th–5th Century
Latin
Abigail
“Latin biblical form of the personal name”
14th Century
English
Abigail
“An English female given name adopted from biblical usage”
17th Century
English
Abigail
“A woman serving as a lady’s maid, especially in drama and literary usage”
Modern English
English
Abigail
“A feminine given name; the servant sense is now archaic”