# Abdel

/ˈæbˌdɛɫ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abdel
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a common part of Arabic names that means 'servant of'. It is usually followed by one of the names of God, like 'Abdel Aziz' or 'Abdel Rahman'.

For teachers: a component of Arabic theophoric names meaning 'servant of the'. It is typically followed by one of the ninety-nine names of Allah, often appearing as a prefix in transliterated personal names.

## Examples

- Abdel is a common name in many countries.
- The professor introduced himself as Abdel, explaining that his full name was Abdel Karim.
- Transliteration styles vary significantly across regions, leading to different spellings of Abdel depending on whether the source text follows French, English, or local phonetic conventions.

## Usage notes

- Often functions as a prefix in a compound name; the spelling varies (e.g., Abdul, Abdal, or Abd-el).

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