Dog name guide

Abby

The meaning, background and naming story of Abby.

Letters
4
Syllables
2Dictionary reading
Starts with
A
Gender association
More often femaleNYC licensing sample

Meaning and background

The story behind Abby

Abby is a familiar English short form of Abigail. The name’s two syllables are represented as /ˈæbi/, and it has the same documented root as Abbey, Abbi and Abbie. The short form is a personal name rather than a separate English word with its own literal definition.

Meaning
English short form of Abigail; the full name’s Hebrew meaning is “my father is joy”. Source
Origin
English diminutive of Abigail. Source
Pronunciation
English /ˈæbi/. Source

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About Abby

Recorded as a dog’s name

Abby appears in 109 dog licence records in the 2026 New York City dataset.

How to read this count

These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.

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Pronunciation and rhythm

/æbi/

US English sound sequence, converted from the CMU dictionary. Stress marks are shown separately.

Stress on the first syllable in the recorded US readings.

View dictionary notation

/æbi/ · primary stress on syllable 1
AE1 B IY0

These are US dictionary readings. Personal, regional and other language pronunciations may differ.

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Sources and research notes (2)

Gender association: NYC licence-period records. Any dog can use this name.

References support the individual facts shown. A source link does not mean the entire profile has been verified.

More names to consider

Suggestions by sound, written form or existing editorial selections. Similarity does not imply a shared origin.

Gaby

Same final dictionary sounds

Abbey

Same final dictionary sounds

Abbie

Same final dictionary sounds

Gabby

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Tabby

Same final dictionary sounds

Abba

Similar opening sounds

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