Ab: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#12,017

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Ab

How common

1 in 341,615

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2007

41 babies

All-time total

380

#9,293 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Ab popularity over time

380 babies have been named Ab since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	21	2	–	#836
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	20	2	–	#2,926
1920s	18	2	-10%	#3,517
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	11	1	–	#3,173
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	–	–	–	–
1990s	24	2	–	#6,100
2000s	244	24	+917%	#2,868
2010s	24	2	-90%	#9,658
2020s (to 2025)	18	3	+25%	#9,562

The story of Ab

Ab is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,017 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 380 American babies have been named Ab. Its peak came in 2007, when 41 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ab stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Ab?

The median living Ab is about 20 years old; half are between 18 and 22. An estimated 300 people named Ab are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Ab year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	5	#12,017
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	6	#10,807
2020	7	#9,562
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	6	#10,657
2014	–	–
2013	7	#9,658
2012	–	–
2011	5	#12,294
2010	6	#10,769
2009	10	#7,693
2008	24	#4,147
2007	41	#2,868
2006	32	#3,307
2005	30	#3,319
2004	33	#3,014
2003	25	#3,529
2002	17	#4,503
2001	15	#4,890
2000	17	#4,389
1995	6	#7,795
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	–	–
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	6	#836
1880	5	#909

Famous people named Ab

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 AB de Villiers South African cricketer b. 1984 · Contemporary
2 Abū Lahab Uncle of the Islamic prophet Muḥammad (c.549-c.624) Medieval
3 Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī Muslim astrologer, and astronomer 1029–1087 · Medieval
4 Abū Sahl al-Qūhī 10th century Persian mathematician, physicist and astronomer 940–1000 · Medieval
5 Abū Ja'far al-Khāzin Persian astronomer and mathematician 900–960 · Medieval
6 Abū Kāmil Shujāʿ ibn Aslam Egyptian mathematician of Abbasid era (c. 850 – 930) Medieval

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Ab, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Ab?

The median living Ab is about 20 years old. Half of all living Abs are between 18 and 22 years old.

How many people named Ab are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Ab are alive in the United States, based on 380 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Ab mean?

The first letter of each of the two syllables of antibody.

How popular is the name Ab in 2025?

Ab ranked #12,017 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Ab?

380 babies have been named Ab in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Ab most popular?

Ab peaked in 2007, when 41 newborns received the name.

Is Ab a boy or girl name?

Ab is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Ab rising or falling?

Ab is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Ab?

Well-known people named Ab include AB de Villiers (cricketer), Abū Lahab (politician), Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī (astronomer).

Names like Ab

Names that sound and feel close to Ab: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Ab with similar names → More names starting with A →