Abdel

Meaning of Abdel

Abdel is a masculine given name of Arabic provenance, derived from the triliteral root ʿB-D (Arabic: عبد) combined with the definite article al-, and thus literally signifying “servant of the,” a formulation that traditionally precedes one of the Ninety-nine Names of God in Islamic theology to create a theophoric designation. Phonetically, it is realized in Modern Standard Arabic as /æbˈdɛl/ and in French as /a.b.dɛl/, a dual pronunciation profile that underscores its transregional adoption across Arab-speaking and Francophone communities. Although its presence in the United States remains relatively modest—annual registrations have fluctuated between single digits and the forties over the past two decades, yielding a national rank typically in the 800–900 range—this steadiness reflects broader patterns of immigration, diasporic identity maintenance, and cultural continuity. In contemporary usage, Abdel conveys both devotional gravitas and linguistic versatility, rendering it an appealing choice for families seeking a name that bridges tradition and global resonance.

Pronunciation

Arabic

  • Pronunced as ab-DEL (/æbˈdɛl/)

French

  • Pronunced as ahb-DEL (/a.b.dɛl/)

U.S. Popularity Chart

Notable People Named Abdel

Abdel Halim Hafez -
Abdel Bari Atwan -
Abdel Nader -
Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi -
Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh -
Abdel Wahab El-Messiri -
Abdel Aziz Abdel Shafy -
Abdel Hamid Badawi -
Abdel Latif Moubarak -
Abdel Karim Obeid -
Abdel Rahman El Bacha -
Miriam Johnson
Curated byMiriam Johnson

Assistant Editor