Abu: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#5,610

among boys · ↑2,165 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Abu

How common

1 in 106,755

boys born in 2025

Peak year

2007

17 babies

All-time total

468

#8,203 all-time among boys

First recorded

1971

in Social Security records

Abu popularity over time

468 babies have been named Abu since 1971, 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	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	43	4	–	#3,445
1980s	60	6	+40%	#3,616
1990s	79	8	+32%	#4,615
2000s	129	13	+63%	#5,210
2010s	97	10	-25%	#5,548
2020s (to 2025)	60	10	+3%	#5,610

The story of Abu

Abu is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,610 in 2025 with 16 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1971, 468 American babies have been named Abu. Its peak came in 2007, when 17 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 Abu stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Abu?

The median living Abu is about 20 years old; half are between 11 and 33. An estimated 500 people named Abu 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.

Abu year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	16	#5,610
2024	10	#7,775
2023	9	#8,268
2022	10	#7,773
2021	7	#9,732
2020	8	#8,748
2019	8	#8,901
2018	16	#5,548
2017	12	#6,691
2016	5	#12,216
2015	7	#9,586
2014	7	#9,652
2013	8	#8,797
2012	11	#7,062
2011	14	#5,952
2010	9	#8,152
2009	14	#6,097
2008	15	#5,769
2007	17	#5,210
2006	15	#5,525
2005	13	#5,877
2004	10	#6,980
2003	9	#7,250
2002	13	#5,398
2001	10	#6,450
2000	13	#5,299
1995	7	#6,994
1990	6	#7,184
1985	7	#5,153
1980	11	#3,616
1975	6	#4,799
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Abu

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

1 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Leader of the Islamic State from 2013 to 2019 1971–2019 · Contemporary
2 Abu Bakr Rashidun caliph from 632 to 634 573–634 · Medieval
3 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Jordanian jihadist (1966–2006) Contemporary
4 Abu Hanifa Muslim scholar, jurist, and theologian (699–767) 698–767 · Medieval
5 Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib Leader of Banu Hashim clan (c. 535 – 619) 539–619 · Medieval
6 Abu Sufyan ibn Harb Quraysh tribal leader and merchant (c. 560 – 653) 580–641 · Medieval
7 Abu Ayyub al-Ansari Companion and the standard-bearer of Muhammad 576–674 · Medieval
8 Abu Nuwas 8th-century classical Arabic poet 762–814 · Medieval
9 Abu Muslim 8th-century Persian revolutionary 718–755 · Medieval
10 Abu Mansur al-Maturidi Islamic scholar and theologian (853–944) 893–944 · Medieval
11 Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan Ruler of the Mongol Ilkhanate from 1316 to 1335 1305–1335 · Medieval
12 Abu Musa al-Ash'ari Companion (Sahabi) of Muhammad 600–666 · Medieval
13 Abu Yusuf Arab Muslim Scholar and jurist (died 798) 731–798 · Medieval
14 Abu Hudhayfa ibn Utba Companion (Sahabi) of Muhammad 581–633 · Medieval
15 Abu Yaqub Yusuf Second ruler of Almohad dynasty (r. 1163–1184) 1138–1184 · Medieval
16 Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani Arab historian, writer, poet and musicologist (897–967) Medieval
17 Abu Hanifa Dinawari Persian Islamic polymath (died 895) 815–896 · Medieval
18 Abu Tammam Muslim Arab poet of Abbasid era (died 850) 788–846 · Medieval
19 Abu Sa'id Abu'l-Khayr Persian poet and Sufi mystic (967–1049) Medieval
20 Abu al-Ghazi Bahadur Khan of Khiva from 1643 to 1663 1603–1664 · 17th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Abu?

The median living Abu is about 20 years old. Half of all living Abus are between 11 and 33 years old.

How many people named Abu are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Abu are alive in the United States, based on 468 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Abu in 2025?

Abu ranked #5,610 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 16 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Abu?

468 babies have been named Abu in the United States since 1971, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Abu most popular?

Abu peaked in 2007, when 17 newborns received the name.

Is Abu a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Abu rising or falling?

Abu is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Abu?

Well-known people named Abu include Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (extremist), Abu Bakr (religious figure), Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (writer).

Names like Abu

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

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