'abigail' originates from Hebrew, specifically the name 'Avigayil', where 'avi' meant 'father' and 'gil' meant 'joy'.

'Avigayil' transformed into the Latin 'Abigail', and eventually became the modern English word 'abigail' through Old French.

Initially, it meant 'father's joy', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a lady's maid or personal attendant'.