Abner Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Abner is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Abner?
Abner is spelled A-B-N-E-R. The name has 5 letters.
Abner at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- The name “Abner” means “father of light” or “my father is light” from the Hebrew elements “ab” meaning father and “ner” meaning light.
- Origin
- The name “Abner” is commonly associated with Hebrew origins and appears in biblical contexts as a significant figure in ancient Israel.
- Pronunciation
- AB-ner · 2 syllables
Abner Popularity in 2025
Rank#874
Recorded Births274
- Boys usage fell 36 places to #874 and recorded 19 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Abner Mean?
The name “Abner” means “father of light” or “my father is light” from the Hebrew elements “ab” meaning father and “ner” meaning light.
Origin: The name “Abner” is commonly associated with Hebrew origins and appears in biblical contexts as a significant figure in ancient Israel.
How Do You Pronounce Abner?
PronunciationAB-ner
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Abner?
- History
- “Abner” is a name mentioned in biblical texts, where Abner was the commander of Saul's army, showing its use in Hebrew culture.
Abner Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 274 | #874 |
| 2024 | Boys | 293 | #838 |
| 2023 | Boys | 221 | #997 |
| 2022 | Boys | 191 | #1,113 |
| 2021 | Boys | 215 | #1,023 |
| 2020 | Boys | 219 | #976 |
| 2019 | Boys | 183 | #1,091 |
| 2018 | Boys | 203 | #1,016 |
| 2017 | Boys | 195 | #1,029 |
| 2016 | Boys | 201 | #1,011 |
| 2015 | Boys | 199 | #1,019 |
| 2014 | Boys | 202 | #1,012 |
| 2013 | Boys | 195 | #1,005 |
| 2012 | Boys | 157 | #1,161 |
| 2011 | Boys | 166 | #1,108 |
| 2010 | Boys | 162 | #1,143 |
| 2009 | Boys | 150 | #1,202 |
| 2008 | Boys | 149 | #1,188 |
| 2007 | Boys | 173 | #1,073 |
| 2006 | Boys | 156 | #1,116 |
| 2005 | Boys | 132 | #1,201 |
| 2004 | Boys | 133 | #1,172 |
| 2003 | Boys | 116 | #1,248 |
| 2002 | Boys | 115 | #1,204 |
When Was Abner Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2024 · Boys
293 recorded births
National rank #838
2025 · Boys
274 recorded births
National rank #874
2023 · Boys
221 recorded births
National rank #997
2020 · Boys
219 recorded births
National rank #976
Where Abner Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| GA | #566 | 18 |
| MD | #571 | 8 |
| AL | #573 | 8 |
| TN | #592 | 12 |
| PA | #605 | 15 |
| UT | #621 | 6 |
| NC | #645 | 14 |
| WI | #678 | 6 |