Abigail \a-bi-gail\ as a girl's name is pronounced AB-ih-gayl. It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Abigail is "father of exaltation". Biblical: the name of King David's third wife, described as "good in discretion and beautiful in form". She referred to herself as David's "handmaid", and her name became widely used as a term for a lady's maid. The name first came into use in Britain in the 16th century, under Puritan influence. Abbie, Abbey, and Abby are pet forms; Abegail is the Spanish form. Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams; advice columnist Abigail Van Buren.

Abigail has 42 variant forms: Abagael, Abagail, Abagale, Abageal, Abagil, Abaigael, Abba, Abbe, Abbee, Abbegail, Abbegale, Abbey, Abbi, Abbie, Abbigael, Abbigail, Abbigale, Abbigayle, Abby, Abbye, Abbygael, Abbygail, Abbygale, Abegail, Abegale, Abgail, Abigael, Abigal, Abigale, Abigall, Abigayl, Abigayle, Abigel, Abigil, Abigayle, Gael, Gail, Gaila, Gal, Gale, Gayel and Gayle.

For more information, see also the related name Avichayil.

A baby name that sounds like Abigail is Abichall.