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Baby names

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

Original poster

Abigail

42 replies

Carlie97 · 09/04/2026 14:18

Is it a timeless classic or best left in the past? I personally love it.

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Mumstheword1983 · 21/04/2026 07:11

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 20/04/2026 22:38

I wanted to call DD Abigail but dh vetoed it on the basis of a film. Can't remember which. I think it's timeless.

There's a horror called Abigail. It's rubbish 😆

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 20/04/2026 22:38

I wanted to call DD Abigail but dh vetoed it on the basis of a film. Can't remember which. I think it's timeless.

Mumstheword1983 · 20/04/2026 22:30

I have an Abigail she's 7. I picked it as it's pretty and I've never taught one as yet so it's not too common where I am (secondary school teacher).

AlwaysTheRenegade · 11/04/2026 19:45

I never liked it just for the "Gail" part but it's not horrible.

17caterpillars1mouse · 10/04/2026 20:13

Classic. Ive heard it a few tines recently on under 7s

Myanna · 10/04/2026 14:34

Always really disliked it, not sure why, I guess it's just the sound. And I'm pretty open minded on names generally. But that's just my personal view, I'm sure most people would find it ok.

DramaAlpaca · 10/04/2026 14:26

It's a biblical classic, underused these days. It's not really my style, but it's a perfectly nice name.

It means, if I remember correctly, 'father's joy'.

Loving that there's a cat called Abigail!

Toddlerteaplease · 10/04/2026 14:16

Love it

Foxytights · 10/04/2026 14:11

I like it. Timeless.

MrsW9 · 10/04/2026 12:03

Timeless classic! Lovely name. Also not very common, at least where I am. I have never taught an Abigail.

Giraffehaver · 09/04/2026 22:28

I like it but, like a pp, don't like the Gail part. Abrielle is prettier if a bit frilly

SparklyBlueDress · 09/04/2026 22:00

Biblically names are definitely classics not modern. I like it

Pianoaholic · 09/04/2026 21:57

I am pleased to hear of a cat named Abigail!
It's my name and I have grown to like it but hated it at school (80s/early 90s) as nobody could ever spell it and I didn't know anyone else with that name.
My dad always used to say he and my mum chose it because it means 'father's joy' and because it was the first name in the baby names book! (He was joking about that!)

Original poster
Carlie97 · 09/04/2026 21:48

VeryQuaintIrene · 09/04/2026 21:12

My cat is Abigail and she's gorgeous.

A cat called Abigail is the most wholesome thing I've heard this year. I already love Abigail cat.

OP posts:
VeryQuaintIrene · 09/04/2026 21:12

My cat is Abigail and she's gorgeous.

TeenLifeMum · 09/04/2026 21:11

It’s a nice non-offensive name. Although mn thinks one of my dc has a “prostitute’s” name so maybe I’m not the best judge. I still love DD’s name and I’m confident the great aunt she’s named after wasn’t a prostitute. Basically, I’m saying choose a name you love.

NancyJoan · 09/04/2026 21:10

Oh, I love it. Abi, Abbie, Abby all nice too

Nervousbuilder · 09/04/2026 21:07

Really not keen, to me it’s very dated and 80s/90s and I don’t like abi/abs/abbie etc

ExOptimist · 09/04/2026 21:05

user1492757084 · 09/04/2026 14:51

It's never out of date though not as popular as classics like Elizabeth and Sarah.
Biblical names are classics.

It is a biblical name!

Kiwibubs · 09/04/2026 21:04

It’s not great

user2848502016 · 09/04/2026 21:00

I love it

liquidsquidli · 09/04/2026 20:59

It’s my name and I don’t like it. People struggle to say it. It sounds harsh. In certain accents it’s sound awful. There are lots of different ways to say it. I go by Abi now as my name and I like that. But again spelling it out is a PITA. It also has the word “a big” in it and rhymes with whale. I did think to change my name by deed poll but getting married was a pain and changing my name them was enough. I now have a gorgeous Surname at least!

Jessbow · 09/04/2026 20:37

I like it

Bit fanciful for a maids name - Ruby, Mabel, Clara were the maids!

Firebird83 · 09/04/2026 20:34

It makes me think of ladies maids too!

Besidemyselfwithworry · 09/04/2026 16:33

There is 2 in my eldest sons year group, another 2
in my daughters year group and I know of about 3 others age 2,
in their 20’s and one who’s just had her 50th

I quite like it but I like old fashioned names

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