Abner is both a surname and a given name. In the United States, it was moderately popular as a given name, but declined in the first half of the 20th century, rarely being used for newborns after the 1930s. The best known is

Abner In the Hebrew Bible, Abner ( he, אַבְנֵר ) was the cousin of King Saul and the commander-in-chief of his army. His name also appears as "Abiner son of Ner", where the longer form Abiner means "my father is Ner". Biblical narrative ...

from the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts o ...

(

Book of Samuel The Book of Samuel (, ''Sefer Shmuel'') is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books (1–2 Samuel) in the Old Testament. The book is part of the narrative history of Ancient Israel called the Deuteronomistic history, a series of books (Josh ...

), first cousin to

Saul Saul (; he, , ; , ; ) was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel. His reign, traditionally placed in the late 11th century BCE, supposedly marked the transition of Israel and Judah from a scattered t ...

and commander-in-chief of his army. Other notable people with the name include:

Given name

* Abnér (died 760), Irish abbot *

Abner of Burgos Abner of Burgos (c. 1270 – c. 1347, or a little later) was a Jewish philosopher, a convert to Christianity and polemical writer against his former religion. Known after his conversion as Alfonso of Valladolid. Life As a student he acquired a ce ...

(c. 1270-c. 1347 or a little later), Jewish philosopher, convert to Christianity and polemical writer against his former religion *

Abner Biberman Abner Warren Biberman (April 1, 1909 – June 20, 1977) was an American actor, director, and screenwriter. Early years Biberman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, later moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He gained early acting experien ...

(1909–1977), American actor, director and screenwriter *

Abner Coburn Abner Coburn (March 22, 1803 – January 4, 1885) was the 30th Governor of Maine from 1863 to 1864 and a prominent individual in Skowhegan, Maine until his death. Early years Coburn was born on a farm in Old Canaan (later renamed to Skowhegan) ...

(1803–1885), 30th governor of Maine *

Abner Cole Abner Cole (August 17, 1783 – July 13, 1835), also known by his pen name Obadiah Dogberry, Esq., was a 19th-century American newspaper editor. He was one of the earliest critics of the spiritual claims of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter D ...

(1783–1835), American newspaper editor *

Abner Cook Abner Hugh Cook (March 15, 1814 – February 22, 1884) was a self-taught Texas architect and general contractor responsible for the design of several historic and notable buildings in Texas, particularly Austin, such as the Texas Governor's ...

(1814-1884), Texas architect and general contractor *

Abner Cotto Abner Cotto Román (born August 10, 1987) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer who currently competes in the lightweight division. He is a member of the Cotto family, which has produced a professional world champion and multiple amateur ...

(born 1987), Puerto Rican boxer *

Abner Dalrymple Abner Frank Dalrymple (September 9, 1857 – January 25, 1939) was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who hit 43 home runs (including 22 in 1884, the second-highest total to that date) and batted .288 with 407 RBI during his 12-se ...

(1857-1939), American Major League Baseball player *

Abner Dean Abner Dean (18 March 1910 – 30 June 1982), born Abner Epstein in New York City, was an American cartoonist. In allegorical or surrealist situations, Dean often depicted extremes of human behavior amid grim, decaying urban settings or barre ...

(1910–1982), American cartoonist *

Abner Doble Abner Doble (March 26, 1890 – July 16, 1961) was an American mechanical engineer who built and sold steam-powered automobiles as Doble Steam Cars. His steam engine design was used in various automobiles from the early 1900s, including a 196 ...

(1890–1961), American mechanical engineer who built and sold steam-powered automobiles *

Abner Doubleday Abner Doubleday (June 26, 1819 – January 26, 1893) was a career United States Army officer and Union major general in the American Civil War. He fired the first shot in defense of Fort Sumter, the opening battle of the war, and had a p ...

(1819-1893), American Civil War Union Army general often erroneously credited with inventing baseball *

Abner Felipe Abner Felipe Souza de Almeida (born 30 May 1996), simply known as Abner, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Belgian club RWDM. Club career Coritiba Born in Londrina, Paraná, Abner finished his formation with ...

(born 1996), Brazilian footballer *

Abner C. Harding Abner Clark Harding (February 10, 1807 – July 19, 1874) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Biography Abner C. Harding was born in East Hampton, Connecticut on February 10, 1807. He attended Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, where he ...

(1807-1874), member of Congress, U.S. Representative from Illinois and Union Army brigadier general during the American Civil War *

Abner Haynes Abner Haynes (born September 19, 1937) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the American Football League (AFL). Early years and integration of major college football in Texas Born in Denton, Texas, Hayn ...

(born 1937), American former college and American Football League player *

Abner Hazeltine Abner Hazeltine (June 10, 1793 – December 20, 1879) was a politician from New York. Biography Born in Wardsboro, Vermont, Hazeltine attended the common schools. He graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 1815. ...

(1793–1879), American politician, U.S. Representative from New York and lawyer *

Abner Jay Abner Wingate Jay (July 15, 1921 – November 4, 1993) was an American multi-instrumentalist from Georgia, best known for performing eccentric, blues infused folk music as a one man band. His idiosyncratic lyrics and style have led some to c ...

(1921–1993), American multi-instrument musician *

Abner Jones Abner Jones (April 28, 1772 – May 29, 1841), also known as Elder Abner Jones, was a minister and early church reformer in the United States. Early life According to ''Memoir of Elder Abner Jones'', which was published in 1842 by his son, A. D. ...

(1772–1841), minister and early church reformer in the United States *

Abner Kneeland Abner Kneeland (April 7, 1774 – August 27, 1844) was an American evangelist and theologian who advocated views on women's rights, racial equality, and religious skepticism that were radical for his day. As a young man, Kneeland was a lay preach ...

(1774–1844), American radical evangelist and theologian, the last man jailed in the United States for blasphemy *

Abner Lacock Abner Lacock (July 9, 1770April 12, 1837) was an American surveyor, civil engineer, and politician from Rochester, Pennsylvania. He served in both houses in the state legislature and represented Pennsylvania in both the U.S. House and Senate. B ...

(1770–1837), American politician, Senator from Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Militia brigadier general, surveyor and civil engineer *

Abner Lewis Abner Lewis (August 17, 1801 – October 12, 1879) was a U.S. Representative, judge and attorney from Jamestown, New York and Winona, Minnesota. Biography Lewis was born in Wells, Vermont on August 17, 1801. He was raised in Chautauqua County, N ...

(1801-1879), U.S. Representative from New York, judge and attorney *

Abner Smith Lipscomb Abner Smith Lipscomb (February 10, 1789, in Abbeville District, South Carolina – December 8, 1856, in Austin, Texas) was an American and Texan lawyer and judge. He was also appointed Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas under the admin ...

(1789-1856), Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas, lawyer and judge *

Abner Louima Abner Louima (born November 24, 1966 in Thomassin, Haiti) is a Haitian American man who, in 1997, was physically attacked, brutalized, and raped by officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) after he was arrested outside a Brooklyn ...

(born 1966), Haitian-American victim of police brutality *

Abner Mares Abner Mares Martínez (born November 28, 1985) is a Mexican-American professional boxer who also works as a boxing analyst and commentator for Showtime. He has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the IBF ban ...

(born 1985), Mexican boxer who won several world championship titles *

Abner Reid McClelan Abner Reid McClelan (January 4, 1831 – January 30, 1917) was a Canadian senator and the tenth Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick. Born in Riverside-Albert, New Brunswick, the son of Peter McClelan and Lucy (Robinson) McLelan, he was edu ...

(1831-1917), Canadian politician *

Abner J. Mikva Abner Joseph Mikva (January 21, 1926 – July 4, 2016) was an American politician, federal judge, lawyer and law professor. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Mikva served in the United States House of Representatives representing Illinois' ...

(born 1926), American former U.S. Representative from Illinois, White House Counsel, federal judge and law professor *

Abner Nash Abner Nash (August 8, 1740December 2, 1786) was the second Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina between 1781 and 1782, and represented North Carolina in the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1786. Life story Nash was born the son of C ...

(1740–1786), second Governor of North Carolina, representative in the Continental Congress and lawyer *Abner

Pākī Abner Kuhoʻoheiheipahu Pākī (c. 1808–1855) was a Hawaiian high chief during the reign of King Kamehameha III, the father of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, founder of Kamehameha Schools. Early life and family According to Hawaiian tradition, he w ...

(c. 1808–1855), Hawaiian chief *

Abner Monroe Perrin Brigadier-General Abner Monroe Perrin (February 2, 1827 – May 12, 1864) was an American lawyer who served as a senior officer of the Confederate States Army in the American Civil War until killed in action at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court H ...

(1827-1864), Confederate general in the American Civil War *

Abner Powell Abner Charles Powell (December 15, 1860 – August 7, 1953) was a Major League Baseball player who was a member of the Washington Nationals of the Union Association in 1884. He later played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Cincinnati Red Stockin ...

(1860-1953), American Major League Baseball player, manager and team owner *

Abner Read Abner Read (1821–1863) was an officer of the United States Navy who distinguished himself in the American Civil War. He died of injuries sustained while patrolling the Mississippi River, in command of the . At the time of his death, he had att ...

(1821–1863), United States Navy officer killed in the American Civil War *

Abner Shimony Abner Eliezer Shimony (; March 10, 1928 – August 8, 2015) was an American physicist and philosopher. He specialized in quantum theory and philosophy of science. As a physicist, he concentrated on the interaction between relativity theory and q ...

(born 1928), American physicist and philosopher of science *

Abner W. Sibal Abner Woodruff Sibal (April 11, 1921 – January 27, 2000) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th congressional district. He served from 1961 to 1965. He was defeated in 1964. He also served as a membe ...

(1921-2000), American politician and U.S. Representative from Connecticut *

Abner Silver Abner Silberman (28 December 1899, in New York City, New York, United States – 24 November 1966) as pen name Abner Silver, was an American songwriter who worked primarily during the Tin Pan Alley era of the craft. Career Usually composing the ...

(1899-1966), American songwriter *

Abner Taylor Abner Taylor (January 19, 1829 – April 13, 1903) was a U.S. Representative from Illinois. Born in Bangor, Maine, Taylor moved with his parents to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1832, thence to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and subsequently to Chicago, Illin ...

(1829-1903), U.S. Representative from Illinois and businessman *

Abner Vinícius Abner Vinícius da Silva Santos (born 27 May 2000), known as Abner Vinícius or simply Abner, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Lyon. Career Ponte Preta Abner began his career playing at youth level for his ...

(born 2000), Brazilian footballer * Abner Wilcox (1808–1869), American missionary teacher in the Kingdom of Hawaii *

Abner Wimberly Abner Wimberly (May 4, 1926 – September 18, 1976) was an American football player who played three seasons for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He also played one season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) ...

(1926-1976), American football player *

Abner Zwillman Abner "Longie" Zwillman (July 27, 1904 – February 26, 1959) was a Jewish-American mobster who was based primarily in North Jersey. He was a long time friend and associate of mobsters Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky. Zwillman's criminal organi ...

(1904-1959), Jewish-American gangster

Surname

David Abner David Abner Sr. (1826–1902) was an American politician who served in the Texas House of Representatives. Born into slavery in Selma, Alabama, he served in the Fourteenth Texas Legislature for District 5 and sat on the Education Committee. ...

Sr. (1826–1902), American legislator and former slave * Douglas Abner (born 1996), Brazilian footballer *

Ewart Abner Ewart Gladstone Abner, Jr. (May 11, 1923 – December 27, 1997) was a major American record company executive who was President of Motown Records from 1973 to 1975 and was personal and business manager for Stevie Wonder for 10 years. In his e ...

(1923-1997), American record company executive *

Shawn Abner Shawn Wesley Abner (born June 17, 1966) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1987 to 1992 for the San Diego Padres, California Angels, and Chicago White Sox. In 392 career games ...

(born 1966), American former Major League Baseball player *Seth Abner (born 1995), better known as

Scump Seth Abner (born June 30, 1995), also known as scump or scumperjumper, is a former American professional ''Call of Duty'' player who last played for the Call of Duty League team OpTic Texas. Abner is a two time Major League Gaming (MLG) X Gam ...

, American professional ''Call of Duty'' player, son of Shawn Abner

Fictional characters

*Abner Brown, the villain of

John Masefield John Edward Masefield (; 1 June 1878 – 12 May 1967) was an English poet and writer, and Poet Laureate from 1930 until 1967. Among his best known works are the children's novels '' The Midnight Folk'' and '' The Box of Delights'', and the p ...

's novel ''

The Box of Delights ''The Box of Delights'' is a children's fantasy novel by John Masefield. It is a sequel to '' The Midnight Folk'', and was first published in 1935. Also known as "When The Wolves Were Running" Plot Kay Harker is returning from boarding sc ...

'' *

Abner Jenkins Abner Ronald Jenkins, also known as the Beetle, MACH-1, MACH-2, MACH-3, MACH-IV, MACH-V, MACH-VII and MACH-X, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Carl Bu ...

, a villain in Marvel Comics *Abner Kravitz, neighbor to central character Samantha Stephens in the 1960s sitcom

Bewitched ''Bewitched'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series that originally aired for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964, to March 25, 1972. It is about a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man and vows to lead the life of a typi ...

, played by

George Tobias George Tobias (July 14, 1901 – February 27, 1980) was an American theater, film and television actor. He had character parts and supporting roles in several major films of Hollywood's Golden Age. He is also known for his role as Abner K ...

*Abner Krill, aka the

Polka-Dot Man The Polka-Dot Man (Abner Krill) is a supervillain appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is primarily a minor enemy of Batman, and belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery. The character made his live ...

, a villain in DC Comics *Abner Marsh, the protagonist of

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...

's novel Fevre Dream *Abner Peabody, a character in the ''

Lum and Abner ''Lum and Abner'' was an American network radio comedy program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff that was aired from 1931 to 1954. Modeled on life in the small town of Waters, Arkansas, near where Lauck and Goff grew up, the show proved ...

'' American radio program (1931–1954) *

Abner Ravenwood This is a list of characters in the Indiana Jones (franchise), ''Indiana Jones'' series. Introduced in ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' Indiana Jones Indiana Jones (character), Dr. Henry Walton "Indiana" Jones, Jr. (Harrison Ford), the titular chara ...

, father of

Marion Ravenwood Marion Ravenwood is a fictional character who first appeared in the 1981 film ''Raiders of the Lost Ark''. Played by Karen Allen, she enters the story when Indiana Jones visits her in Nepal, needing her help to locate the Ark of the Covenant with ...

*Abner Yokum, title character of the American comic strip ''

L'il Abner ''Li'l Abner'' is a satirical American comic strip that appeared in many newspapers in the United States, Canada and Europe. It featured a fictional clan of hillbillies in the impoverished mountain village of Dogpatch, USA. Written and drawn b ...

Given name

Surname

Fictional characters

See also