Abigail

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ORIGIN & HISTORY

The roots of the name Abigail can be traced back to Biblical times; King David's wife's name was Abigail, and she is described as being beautiful and praised for her "good discretion." The name was popular among ladies' maids in Britain during the Middle Ages, because King David's wife had described herself as his "handmaid." ^[1] Under Puritanical influence in the United States, the name was brought to heightened popularity as settlers moved to the "New World," and lived strictly pious lives, including choosing names straight out of the Bible.

POPULARITY

Abigail was quite popular for centuries among the religiously devout and those who favor tradition. Recently the name's popularity has resurfaced, following the new "old-fashioned" naming trends.

FACTS

In the tragic play "The Crucible," one of the main character's names was Abigail Williams. Throughout the Salem, Massachusetts based play, the finger-pointing teen was accusing people of witchcraft during the infamous trials; although the play was an imaginative work, its roots are steeped in the truth about the Salem Witch Trials.

The first woman to ever cast an official vote for a political office was named Abigail House in 1876. She originally gained fame during the War of 1812; her fiance was sick in Norfolk, Virginia, so she walked there from Charleston, South Carolina. Sadly, she arrived the day after he died - so she walked back home. Affectionately nicknamed "Aunt Abby," she was also considered an angel of mercy to Confederate Soldiers during the Civil War because of her devotion to the troops: she collected food, shoes, and blankets and personally delivered them to any Soldier in need.

NAMESAKES

The town of Abigail, Kentucky, is the site of Daniel Boone's early explorations in the area; it's also in the same county as the Battle of Blue Licks, which some historians say was the finish to the American Revolutionary War.

The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) produced a movie called "Abigail's Party" in 1977, just a few years after the scary horror flick Abby in 1974.

The Abigail Alliance, a non-profit group that seeks to increase the general population's access to developmental cancer drugs, was formed in 2001. The activists seek to help cancer patients that haven't had any success with conventional treatments.

FAMOUS PERSONS

• Abigail Adams, the wife of President John Adams, was a highly esteemed First Lady. Her fame was not only due to being married to a President - she was also an active advocate for women's rights.

• Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is the voice behind "Dear Abby." Abigail Van Buren is actually a pen name that was passed from mother (Pauline Esther Friedman Phillips) to daughter (Jeanne Philips), who currently writes the column.

• Child star Abigail Breslin, known for being one of the youngest Academy Award nominees for her role in the 2006 family comedy movie "Little Miss Sunshine," also starred in "Raising Helen" (2004).

OTHER ABIGAIL'S

Abigail Williams, Abigail Smith, Abigail Johnson, Abigail Jones, Abigail Brown, Abigail Davis, Abigail Miller, Abigail Wilson, Abigail Moore, Abigail Taylor, Abigail Aahn, Abigail Aaholm, Abigail Aalbers, Abigail Aaron, Abigail Aars, Abigail Ab, Abigail Abad, Abigail Abaigar, Abigail Abary, Abigail Abbas, Abigail Abbate, Abigail Abbey, Abigail Abe, Abigail Abear, Abigail Abel, Abigail Abellar, Abigail Aberdeen, Abigail Abernathy, Abigail Abesamis, Abigail Abeyta, Abigail Abieail, Abigail Abigal, Abigail Abigial, Abigail Abila, Abigail Abler, Abigail Ablog, Abigail Abner, Abigail Abongwa, Abigail Abordo, Abigail Aboy, Abigail Abraham, Abigail Abram, Abigail Abrams, Abigail Abramson, Abigail Abreu, Abigail Absalon, Abigail Abysalh, Abigail Accetta, Abigail Acevedo, Abigail Acheampong, More results

Author: Angie Wiggins

NOTES