Abner

This once neglected Biblical name is back on the scene, ready to shake off both its association with the long running satirical comic strip, L'il Abner and its historical Puritan image. The name appears in the Bible several times, notably on the cousin and commander of Saul's army and by two figures in the New Testament. It re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2023, and was a fast rising choice in 2024 when it was given to nearly 300 boys.

Derived from the elements av and ner, it means "father of light" or "my father is a light", lending it a strong sense of spirituality and the possibility of working to a strong parental figure too. Moreover, while it is a Biblical choice, like the popular Asher, it shares that -er ending of modern, occupational names like Cooper or Carter, giving it an extra layer of appeal.

The name has several literary credentials, having appeared in works by James Fenimore Cooper, Thomas Hardy and Eugene O'Neill and was also borne by Abner Doubleday, who has been credited with inventing baseball.

Pronounced AB-ner.

As of October 2026, Abner ranked #874 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #289 in 1881, Nameberry popularity #643.