In biblical tradition, the second son of Adam and Eve who was killed by his brother Cain. Often used symbolically to represent innocence or victimhood.
From Hebrew הֶבֶל (hevel) meaning 'breath' or 'vapor,' suggesting transience. The name entered English through Latin and Greek biblical translations, maintaining its association with the tragic figure from Genesis.
Abel's name literally means 'breath' or 'vanity,' which is tragically prophetic given his short life ended by fratricide. His story established the archetypal narrative of sibling rivalry and innocent suffering that echoes through literature from Shakespeare to modern crime dramas.
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