Hebrew name meaning breath or vapor; the second son of Adam and Eve in Genesis.
Abel comes from the Hebrew name Hevel, often understood to mean "breath," "vapor," or something fleeting and delicate. That poetic image sits at the heart of the name’s long history: in the Book of Genesis, Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve, remembered as a shepherd whose life is cut short by his brother Cain. Because of that story, the name has always carried a quiet emotional depth.
It suggests innocence, gentleness, and the fragility of life, yet its sound in many European languages softened the original Hebrew into the more familiar Abel, giving it a calm, enduring elegance. Across centuries, Abel has appeared in both religious and intellectual history. Medieval Christian Europe preserved it through biblical devotion, while later bearers such as the Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel gave the name a brilliant scholarly association; today the Abel Prize in mathematics keeps that legacy alive.
In literature and music, the Cain-and-Abel story has made the name a shorthand for innocence wronged, so Abel often appears in works interested in morality, sacrifice, and brotherhood. In usage, Abel has moved in waves. It was long familiar but never overly common in English-speaking countries, which has helped it feel both ancient and fresh.
In recent years it has risen again alongside other biblical names with simple, strong forms. Modern parents often hear in Abel a blend of softness and substance: a name with sacred roots, historical gravity, and a surprisingly contemporary clean sound.