Boy
Abner
father of light, my father is a lamp
About Abner
Biblical strength meets vintage charm in Abner, a name experiencing a well-deserved renaissance. Once considered old-fashioned, Abner now feels refreshingly retro and ready for rediscovery. The strong opening syllable commands attention, while the -ner ending provides satisfying completion. This name belonged to warriors and leaders in ancient texts, imbuing it with associations of courage and capability. Yet Abner also carries a certain gentleness, avoiding the harsh aggressiveness some traditional strong names possess. It's short enough to be practical, distinctive enough to be memorable, and meaningful enough to carry significance. Parents tired of overused classics but wary of invented names will find Abner offers the perfect compromise—authentic, established, and ripe for revival.
Popularity of the Name Abner
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #325 | |
| 1881 | #289 | |
| 1882 | #307 | |
| 1883 | #318 | |
| 1884 | #301 | |
| 1885 | #298 | |
| 1886 | #417 | |
| 1887 | #392 | |
| 1888 | #369 | |
| 1889 | #379 | |
| 1890 | #489 | |
| 1891 | #397 | |
| 1892 | #357 | |
| 1893 | #391 | |
| 1894 | #387 | |
| 1895 | #501 | |
| 1896 | #500 | |
| 1897 | #346 | |
| 1898 | #435 | |
| 1899 | #438 | |
| 1900 | #517 | |
| 1901 | #371 | |
| 1902 | #460 | |
| 1903 | #470 | |
| 1904 | #492 | |
| 1905 | #410 | |
| 1906 | #472 | |
| 1907 | #634 | |
| 1908 | #553 | |
| 1909 | #545 | |
| 1910 | #480 | |
| 1911 | #855 | |
| 1912 | #608 | |
| 1913 | #523 | |
| 1914 | #539 | |
| 1915 | #587 | |
| 1916 | #620 | |
| 1917 | #650 | |
| 1918 | #674 | |
| 1919 | #649 | |
| 1920 | #792 | |
| 1921 | #682 | |
| 1922 | #737 | |
| 1923 | #711 | |
| 1924 | #778 | |
| 1925 | #809 | |
| 1926 | #894 | |
| 1927 | #937 | |
| 1928 | #872 | |
| 1929 | #878 | |
| 1930 | #976 | |
| 1931 | #974 | |
| 1932 | #924 | |
| 1933 | #926 | |
| 1938 | #897 | |
| 2020 | #976 | |
| 2023 | #997 | |
| 2024 | #838 | #748 |
| 2025 | #874 | #780 |
Top names by country: United States · Ireland
Variations of Name Abner
- Avner
- Abnér
Names Similar to Abner
Nicknames for Abner
- Ab
- Abe
- Abby
- Nery
Famous People Named Abner
| Abner Doubleday | American Civil War general and purported creator of baseball |
| Abner Haynes | American football player and AFL All-Star |
| Abner Mares | Mexican professional boxer and multiple-time world champion |
| Abner Powell | American baseball player and manager in the early 20th century |
| Abner Jay | American blues musician and songwriter |
| Abner W. Sibal | Indian diplomat and ambassador to several countries |
| Abner Biberman | American actor and director from the Golden Age of Hollywood |
| Abner Dalrymple | American baseball outfielder in the 19th century |
| Abner Zwillman | Jewish-American mobster during the Prohibition era |
| Abner Druckenmiller | American football player and coach |
| Abner J. Mikva | American lawyer, politician, and federal judge |
| Abner J. Burnett | American jurist who served as a U.S. Circuit Judge |
| Abner Oakes | American sportswriter and editor |
| Abner Shimony | American philosopher and physicist |
| Abner S. Clark | American politician and mayor of Los Angeles |
| Abner E. Colvin | American lawyer and politician |
| Abner W. Calhoun | American businessman and politician |
Characters Named Abner
| Abner Kravitz | Character in the TV series "Bewitched" |
| Abner Hale | Protagonist in the novel "Hawaii" by James A. Michener |
| Abner Marsh | Character in the novel "Fevre Dream" by George R.R. Martin |