Abel is a Hebrew masculine given name that means "breath" or "vapor." It has a significant historical and biblical association as it is the name of the second son of Adam and Eve in the Old Testament, who was murdered by his brother Cain out of jealousy.
The name Abel originates from the Hebrew word "hevel," which translates to breath or vapor. In the Bible, Abel was a shepherd and offered some of the firstlings of his flock and their fat unto God, while Cain, a farmer, brought an offering of the fruits of the ground (Genesis 4:2-4). When God had more regard for Abel's sacrifice than Cain's, Cain became jealous and killed his brother. This story is often interpreted as representing the struggle between good and evil.
Despite its biblical association with tragic events, the name Abel has been used throughout history by various cultures and has gained popularity in recent years. It was the 54th most popular boys' name in France in 2018 and has also seen increased usage in other countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.
In literature and art, the name Abel has appeared in several notable works. In Marcel Proust's novel "À la recherche du temps perdu," the character Charles Swann is sometimes called "Abel" by his lover Odette. In Mark Twain's short story "The Facts Concerning the Recent Carnival of Crime in Connectic
"The name Abel has seen a notable increase in popularity since the early 2000s, with peaks in recent years (2015-2023), suggesting it may now be among the more commonly chosen names."