Abner

“Father of light” — Hebrew origin

Boy's name · #874 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Abner was #289 in 1881, slipped to #2131 by 1977, and has climbed back to #874 today. About 9,500 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Around the world: about 1 in 7,900 boys in Ireland (2025) · about 1 in 13,000 boys in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 18,000 boys in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 22 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Abners

Abner Vinícius — Brazilian footballer (born 2000)
Abner Felipe Souza de Almeida — Brazilian footballer
Abner Doubleday — Union Army general
Abner Biberman — American actor, director, and screenwriter (1909–1977)
Abner Mares — Mexican professional boxer

In stories & tradition

Abner — First Book of Samuel · Second Book of Samuel
Abner (Whitewater Duck) — Donald Duck universe
Abner Jenkins — Strange Tales

What Abners become

Among 139 notable people named Abner:

Political leaders appear 2.38× more often than among typical names — e.g. Abner Lacock, American politician (1770–1837).

Similar names: Enoch · Abdullah · Elisha · Abdiel · Asa · Amos

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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