What Does the Name Abdiel Mean?
Abdiel means "servant of God," built from the Hebrew עֶבֶד (eved, "servant") and אֵל (El, "God"). Some sources also give "worshiper of God" as a close alternative reading.
The Origin & History of Abdiel
The name appears once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Chronicles 5:15, naming the father of a clan leader in the tribe of Gad. It gained much wider recognition through John Milton's 17th-century epic "Paradise Lost," where Abdiel is depicted as the one loyal angel who refuses to join Satan's rebellion — a portrayal that gave the name strong associations with faithfulness and moral courage.
Cultural Reach
Abdiel has grown as a given name especially among Latino evangelical and Christian families in the US, where biblical names carrying a clear, strong meaning are popular. The variant Avdiel is used in some Jewish naming contexts.
Personality & Traits
Thanks to both its literal meaning and its literary association with Milton's lone faithful angel, Abdiel suggests steadfast loyalty and quiet conviction.
Famous People Named Abdiel
Abdiel is a named figure in 1 Chronicles 5:15 in the Hebrew Bible, and appears as the loyal angel in John Milton's "Paradise Lost" — a well-known literary reference point for the name.
Popularity as a Given Name
SSA data recorded 403 boys named Abdiel in the US in 2024, up from 380 in 2023 — a steady riser.
Nicknames & Variants
Avdiel is a Hebrew-naming variant. Abdi is sometimes used as a short nickname.