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Abraham

♂ Boy

Pronounced AY-bruh-ham /ˈeɪ.brə.hæm/High

Meaning: Father of many (nations); from Hebrew Avraham: av (father) + hamon (multitude)High

In 30 seconds: The patriarchal Hebrew name meaning 'father of many nations.' Revered across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as the founding patriarch, Abraham carries immense spiritual and historical weight.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFather of many (nations); from Hebrew Avraham: av (father) + hamon (multitude)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 88,644

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201618802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Abraham derives from Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (Avraham), traditionally interpreted as av ('father') + hamon ('multitude'), meaning 'father of many.' The patriarch Abraham, originally called Abram, is the founding figure of the Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Islamic tradition he is Ibrahim, equally venerated.

Abraham has been used as a given name in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities for millennia. In the United States it is associated particularly with President Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the 16th President who preserved the Union and abolished slavery. It remains in the top 200 U.S. boys' names, especially popular in Jewish, Christian, and Hispanic communities.

Did you know? In Genesis 17:5, God renamed Abram ('exalted father') to Abraham ('father of many nations') as a sign of his covenant — making the name change itself a divine act of promise.

Variations

IbrahimAvrahamAbramBram

Nicknames

AbeBram

Famous Bearers

  • ★Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
    16th President of the United States, who preserved the Union and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

If you like Abraham…

Isaac— fellow Hebrew patriarch name equally revered across Abrahamic faiths
Jacob— another patriarch name with the same biblical gravitas
Ezra— shorter Hebrew name with the same dignified Old Testament feel
Eli— brief, accessible Hebrew name with the same priestly weight

Frequently Asked

What does the name Abraham mean?

Abraham means 'father of many nations' from Hebrew av (father) and hamon (multitude). God gave the name to the patriarch Abram in Genesis 17:5.

How do you pronounce Abraham?

Abraham is pronounced AY-bruh-ham (/ˈeɪ.brə.hæm/) — three syllables with stress on the first.

Is Abraham a boy or girl name?

Abraham is used exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Abraham?

Abraham has been a consistent top-200 U.S. boys' name, popular across Jewish, Christian, and Hispanic communities.