Abner
From Hebrew אבנר (Abner, “father of light”).
Every Abner since 1880 — 9,454 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Abner
Abner is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #874 in 2025 with 274 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 9,454 American babies have been named Abner. Its peak came in 2024, when 293 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
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 Abner stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Abner year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 274 | #874 |
| 2024 | 293 | #838 |
| 2023 | 221 | #997 |
| 2022 | 191 | #1,113 |
| 2021 | 215 | #1,023 |
| 2020 | 219 | #976 |
| 2019 | 183 | #1,091 |
| 2018 | 203 | #1,016 |
| 2017 | 195 | #1,029 |
| 2016 | 201 | #1,011 |
| 2015 | 199 | #1,019 |
| 2014 | 202 | #1,012 |
| 2013 | 195 | #1,005 |
| 2012 | 157 | #1,161 |
| 2011 | 166 | #1,108 |
| 2010 | 162 | #1,143 |
| 2009 | 150 | #1,202 |
| 2008 | 149 | #1,188 |
| 2007 | 173 | #1,073 |
| 2006 | 156 | #1,116 |
| 2005 | 132 | #1,201 |
| 2004 | 133 | #1,172 |
| 2003 | 116 | #1,248 |
| 2002 | 115 | #1,204 |
| 2001 | 106 | #1,254 |
| 2000 | 113 | #1,196 |
| 1995 | 86 | #1,256 |
| 1990 | 66 | #1,370 |
| 1985 | 31 | #1,866 |
| 1980 | 41 | #1,496 |
| 1975 | 25 | #1,884 |
| 1970 | 26 | #1,699 |
| 1965 | 35 | #1,294 |
| 1960 | 30 | #1,463 |
| 1955 | 27 | #1,483 |
| 1950 | 29 | #1,340 |
| 1945 | 31 | #1,180 |
| 1940 | 34 | #1,135 |
| 1935 | 37 | #1,057 |
| 1930 | 48 | #976 |
| 1925 | 67 | #809 |
| 1920 | 71 | #792 |
| 1915 | 94 | #587 |
| 1910 | 33 | #480 |
| 1905 | 27 | #410 |
| 1900 | 21 | #518 |
| 1895 | 16 | #501 |
| 1890 | 15 | #489 |
| 1885 | 32 | #298 |
| 1880 | 27 | #325 |
Famous people named Abner
- Abner Doubleday Military personnel · 1819–1893
- Abner Felipe Soccer player · b. 1996
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Abner mean?
From Hebrew אבנר (Abner, “father of light”).
How popular is the name Abner in 2025?
Abner ranked #874 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 274 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Abner?
9,454 babies have been named Abner in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Abner most popular?
Abner peaked in 2024, when 293 newborns received the name.
Is Abner a boy or girl name?
Abner is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Abner rising or falling?
Abner is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Abner?
Well-known people named Abner include Abner Doubleday (military personnel), Abner Felipe (soccer player).