Abu

♂ Boy

Pronounced ah-BOO /ɑˈbu/Medium

Meaning: From Arabic abu, 'father (of)' — a word/title used in kunya names; also a Ghanaian (Akan) day-name for a Tuesday-born boy; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Father (of): Abu is Arabic. Crisp, warm, and homey (said 'ah-BOO').

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Origin LowArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic abu, 'father (of)' — a word/title used in kunya names; also a Ghanaian (Akan) day-name for a Tuesday-born boy; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#7736 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2007

Total births (all-time)≈ 452

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Abu comes from Arabic abu, 'father (of)' — a word/title used in kunya names (e.g. Abu Bakr); it is also a Ghanaian (Akan) day-name for a Tuesday-born boy (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, warm name (said 'ah-BOO').

In the U.S. it appears in West African and Arabic families. Rare, father at the root, and warm.

Did you know? Abu means 'father (of)' in Arabic — a word/title used in honorific kunya names — and is also a Ghanaian day-name for a Tuesday-born boy — crisp and warm (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'ah-BOO').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Abu — title/word; routes layered

Variations

AbooAbou

Nicknames

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If you like Abu…

Abubakar— a fellow Abu- Arabic boys' name

Kwame— a sound-neighbor Akan boys' name

Yusuf— a kin Arabic boys' name

Ahmir— another Arabic name

Arham— another Arabic name

Explore names like Abu

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Abu mean?

Abu is Arabic for 'father (of)' — a title in kunya names; also a Ghanaian day-name; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Abu?

It's said ah-BOO /ɑˈbu/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Abu a boy or girl name?

Abu is a boy's name.

How popular is Abu?

Abu is a rare name in the U.S.