Abe

boyHebrewJewishChristian

Abe is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew, via English origin, meaning “Short for Abraham, 'father of many'”.

MeaningShort for Abraham, 'father of many'
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew, via English
PronunciationAYB
TraditionJewish, Christian
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Canada

Meaning and origin of Abe

Abe is the traditional short form of Abraham, whose name Genesis explains as 'father of a multitude'. In the United States it is forever linked with Abraham Lincoln, widely known as 'Honest Abe'. It was a common nickname among Jewish immigrant families in the early twentieth century and has a friendly, vintage feel today.

Is Abe a Jewish name?

Through Abraham, the patriarch revered in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Abe has a biblical background, though as a nickname it is used without religious emphasis.

How popular is Abe?

Mostly a nickname; rarely given as a full name today.

Gifts with the name Abe

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Spellings and variants of Abe

Names similar to Abe

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Abe mean?

Abe means 'Short for Abraham, 'father of many''. It is of Hebrew, via English origin.

Is Abe a Jewish name?

Through Abraham, the patriarch revered in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Abe has a biblical background, though as a nickname it is used without religious emphasis.

How do you pronounce Abe?

Abe is pronounced AYB.

Is Abe a boy or girl name?

Abe is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.