Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Is this name too cultish?

41 replies

MaElsie · 09/05/2015 19:31

I've always loved the name Abel, Abe for short. Have you ever come across anyone called Abel who wasn't Amish, from a cult? And what line do you think any bullying would take at school?
Lastly, what names do you think work well with Abel either as a first or middle name?
Thank you so much!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Chottie · 09/05/2015 19:32

Sorry not keen at that name at all. :(

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 09/05/2015 19:34

I went to school with an Abe, no idea on religion as I was too young to know or care about that at the time

LomaLinda77 · 09/05/2015 19:38

Common enough in the Netherlands, pronounced a bit like Ah-bell.

Canyouforgiveher · 09/05/2015 19:38

I know a baby Abe - full name Abraham.

I like Abe but not Abel or Abraham (although lots of nice shortened versions abe, bramie)

LouisaB1990 · 09/05/2015 19:41

I think it's lovely not too cutie is it pronounced A-bell?

seaoflove · 09/05/2015 19:43

It's pronounced "able".

I love it. I know it's super Biblical, but I think it's really cool and unusual.

BreacaBoudica · 09/05/2015 19:44

My nephew is Abe, not short for anything - it's lovely and not religious or anything.

MyNameIsSuz · 09/05/2015 19:47

I like it! I think it's quite biblical, but no worse than Noah and that's become really popular.

BrockAuLit · 09/05/2015 19:51

Depends on your milieu.

There are many where Abel won't have any significance, so v easy to use.

But if you live in the mid-West and are not, in fact, Amish, I'd steer clear.

Nervo · 09/05/2015 19:51

An ex boyfriend had a friend called Abel. He was really cool and a bit odd. I liked him.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 09/05/2015 19:53

Biblical names are very popular where I am e.g. Noah, Isaac, Reuben etc so I don't think people would assume anything as it seems to be on trend if that makes sense. If it's like my school though he would have to read his homework out first, those kids further down the alphabet always got away with it Grin

MaraThonbar · 09/05/2015 19:55

I was half-expecting the name Manson when I clicked through!

Abel's fine. There are lots of Old Testament names around the moment so he's likely to be friends with little Isaacs and Noahs. I even know an Ezekiel.

SinglePringle · 09/05/2015 20:09

I ADORE Abe. I love Abraham for the full version. Interesting and has gravitas. Not so keen on Abel. What if they're not...?

Grewupinafield · 09/05/2015 20:10

I was desperate to use it for ds1 but dh doesn't like it, same for ds2.
If we ever have another son, it's being used as a middle name! I love the name

getbusyliving · 09/05/2015 20:13

First thought is Cain and Abel and didn't one kill the other?
But thing is with connotations, they are quickly forgotten once child makes the name their own iynwim

Ilovewheelychairs · 09/05/2015 20:15

I work in a Catholic school and have taught a few Abel's! I really like it :-)

DoTheDuckFace · 09/05/2015 20:19

I think it's quite a nice name actually. Love Abe for short.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 09/05/2015 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 09/05/2015 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/05/2015 20:30

Don't like Abel at all, sorry, but love Abraham.

MaElsie · 10/05/2015 07:12

Thank you. Not universally liked, but not too much associated with a cult either. I could live with that.
Yes, Abel was hated and killed by his brother Cain because God accepted him not Cain. On the plus side though, I don't have any other boys!

OP posts:
Stinkylinky · 10/05/2015 07:33

My friend has a 2 year old DS called Abel, I've always loved his name and never met another Smile

Rhubarbgarden · 10/05/2015 07:51

I really don't like it. It screams religious craziness to me.

Justnapping · 10/05/2015 08:01

The baby is called Abel in Sons of anarchy! That's all i can think of when I hear that name

VenusVanDamme · 10/05/2015 09:38

Based on my nn all I think of is the child in Sons of Anarchy!

Never met an Abel or Abe so only other thought is biblical connection, definitely not 'cultish'.