Abigail

Abigail is a Hebrew name composed of the elements av, meaning father, and gil, meaning joy or rejoicing, giving the overall sense of my father is joy or father's joy. In the Hebrew Bible, Abigail is the name of the wise and beautiful wife of Nabal who later became a wife of King David, and her portrayal as an intelligent, diplomatic woman gave the name lasting positive associations. The name spread widely through Puritan and Protestant communities following the Reformation due to its biblical roots, and it became especially common in England and colonial America. Abby, Abbie, and Gail are common short forms, while Avigail is the modern Hebrew cognate.