What does Abel mean?
From the Hebrew Hevel, usually read “breath” or “vapour.” Abel is the son of Adam in Genesis.
What does Adriel mean?
Adriel is a Hebrew name meaning “flock of God.”
Abel vs Adriel
Which is more popular?
Adriel is more popular than Abel today: about 3,921 US babies were given the name Adriel in 2025, compared with 1,525 named Abel.
| Abel | Adriel | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Breath | Flock of God |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AY-bul | AY-dree-el |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1952 |
| Peak year | 2015 (3,245) | 2025 (3,921) |
| In 2025 | 1,525 | 3,921 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Abel
Adriel
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Abel | Adriel |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 10,674 | 18,150 |
| 2010s | 23,554 | 11,101 |
| 2000s | 8,364 | 2,765 |
| 1990s | 6,484 | 858 |
| 1980s | 4,730 | 481 |
| 1970s | 3,528 | 200 |
| 1960s | 2,665 | 39 |
| 1950s | 2,088 | 51 |
| 1940s | 1,225 | 0 |
| 1930s | 939 | 0 |
| 1920s | 881 | 0 |
| 1910s | 559 | 0 |
| 1900s | 121 | 0 |
| 1890s | 118 | 0 |
| 1880s | 107 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Abel or Adriel more popular?
Adriel is more popular than Abel today: about 3,921 US babies were given the name Adriel in 2025, compared with 1,525 named Abel.
What is the difference between Abel and Adriel?
Abel means Breath (Hebrew origin), while Adriel means Flock of God (Hebrew origin).
Which name is older, Abel or Adriel?
In US records, Abel first appears in 1880 and Adriel in 1952, so Abel has the longer recorded history.