'Abigail' originates from Hebrew, specifically the word 'אֲבִיגַיִל' (Avigayil), where 'אב' (av) meant 'father' and 'גיל' (gil) meant 'joy'.

'אֲבִיגַיִל' (Avigayil) transformed into the Latin 'Abigail' and eventually became the modern English name 'Abigail'.

Initially, it meant 'father's joy', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.