When the arrogant and autocratic letter A teams up with the belligerent, boisterous B to form the AB phoneme, it evokes the unmistakable connotation of abruptness that we find in words like abduct, abort, abolish, abominable, abandon, abhor, and abuse. So although these names suggest individuals with little patience or empathy, this is less true of those who choose to use the diminutive version of their name, such as Abby and Abbey. This is because the addition of the letter Y at the end of names invariably softens their aggressive qualities -- as when mothers soften their speech by ending words with high-frequency tones (cat becomes kitty, dog becomes doggy, and blanket becomes blankie).
Names that incorporate the lyrical, laughing, laid-back letter L -- as in Abel, Abigail and Abri -- are imbued with an air of genteel diplomacy. The ABL letter combination is so influential in fact that the word ‘able’ has come to be the very definition of a capable and talented individual. At one time, a quarter of the world's population bore the name Abel, until dispatched by a man who fittingly bore the harsh mark of Cain.
Strong and confident -- if not a little intolerant on occasion --these people radiate a serious and earnest air with an inclination towards simplicity and order. People are drawn to the AB individuals for their down-home goodness and strong, unyielding spirits, but are sometimes put off by their pedantic method of communication. No matter what you say about the AB personality, you’ll have to concede that they’re not the most exciting conversationalists. Erudite, and insightful they may be; but a barrel of monkeys they’re not.
Hardships in the AB’s busy life are met head-on and with a ready laugh and dry sense of humor. While their uncommon emotional strength tends to elevate them from the crowd, these are reluctant leaders who prefer to operate in the background. ABs perform at their best in careers requiring a high level of emotional toughness such as; teaching, journalism, medicine and politics.
If you’re involved in close personal relationships with any ABs, it’s best to stay on their good side. For although ABs can be playful at times, too much pressure will provoke a side of them that’s as stubborn as a redwood. As parents, ABs run the home with ruthless efficiency, demanding obedience and discipline from the children. Still, this drill sergeant attitude will be tempered with a large and loving heart, and the ABs’ families will never have to guess where their affections lie.
