Thoughts on "Abel" and it's historical context

[name_m]Hi[/name_m]. DH and I love this name for our peanut if it’s a boy. We loved the TV show Sons of Anarchy, where the little boy was named [name_m]Abel[/name_m]. So that’s the meaning for us. However, in the biblical story of two brothers, [name_m]Abel[/name_m] was a shepherd who was murdered by his brother [name_m]Cain[/name_m]. He was the first person to die childless and due to a violent act. Not sure how we would go about explaining that dark story to our little one if we chose this name. Ha. The hebrew meaning is “breath” and “son”, so I guess that isn’t too bad.

Is this usable? Honest thoughts please. :slight_smile: [name_f]TIA[/name_f]

I don’t think that the story of [name_m]Cain[/name_m] and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] will haunt your son for the rest of his life. It won’t be something he’ll be teased for or anything either.

I know a lot of non Christians and they know the story of [name_m]Cain[/name_m] and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] so I think it will be recognized no matter what. However, I still think this name is completely usable. I love the meaning and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] was a great person in the Bible so [name_f]IMO[/name_f] I think it’s a good namesake.
People name their sons [name_m]Cain[/name_m] and he was the first murderer so I don’t think using [name_m]Abel[/name_m] would be a big deal.

I like [name_m]Abel[/name_m] a lot! Sons of Anarchy made me like the name too! I don’t think the biblical connection is a big deal, if you liked [name_m]Cain[/name_m] I’d have a different opinion. I think people would immediately think of the Bible story with [name_m]Cain[/name_m], but I don’t think [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is as strongly connected.

I love [name_m]Abel[/name_m]! It is in the running for a first or middle name for our third boy. The biblical story does give me pause because I have other boys and don’t like the idea that [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is the good brother compared to the others. But I would still use it because I love the word association with [name_m]ABLE[/name_m] and I just think it’s really cute and wearable at all ages.

I like [name_m]Abel[/name_m] and think it’s usable. I know the story but the sounds, the meaning and the idea of being ‘able’ feel more significant to me

[name_m]Abel[/name_m] is a pretty popular name, in the US top 150. It’s a perfectly normal and well-used name despite the story.

I think [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is a fine name. I’ve met guys named [name_m]Cain[/name_m] which is far worse than [name_m]Abel[/name_m]. [name_m]Abel[/name_m] may have died a terrible death, but that’s not all the Bible says about him. [name_m]Abel[/name_m] was obedient to God and gave him his first and best fruits in offering. God loved [name_m]Abel[/name_m] because [name_m]Abel[/name_m] was humble and had the heart of a servant. So I think [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is definitely usable. Many people name there children names like [name_f]Delilah[/name_f] (the temptress you seduced [name_m]Samson[/name_m] so she could steal his power) [name_f]Jezebel[/name_f] (an evil queen who killed many people and tried to kill [name_m]Elijah[/name_m]) and even good people in the Bible did terrible things like [name_m]David[/name_m] ([name_m]David[/name_m] had an affair with a married woman and got her pregnant, he then sent her husband to the front lines of battle so he would be killed) sorry this was so long! I think [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is a great name!

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