Abner
/ˈæb.nər/noun
A masculine given name from the Hebrew Bible, borne by Saul’s army commander.
Did you know?In the Bible, Abner was commander of King Saul’s army and later helped establish David’s rule before being assassinated by Joab.
Etymological Timeline
Iron Age Hebrew
Hebrew
אַבְנֵר (ʾAvnēr)
“A personal name traditionally understood as “my father is a lamp” or “father of light,” from ʾav, “father,” and nēr, “lamp.””
3rd–2nd Century BCE
Greek
Αβεννήρ (Abennēr)
“Greek biblical transliteration of the Hebrew name.”
4th–5th Century CE
Latin
Abner
“Latin form used in biblical translation and Christian tradition.”
Old English
Old English
Abner
“Biblical personal name transmitted through scriptural naming traditions.”
Middle English
English
Abner
“Established masculine given name shaped by English Bible usage.”
Modern English
English
Abner
“A masculine given name, especially associated with the biblical commander of Saul’s army.”