He causes pain or sorrow
Derived from the Hebrew root 'atsab', the name is famously explained in the Bible as being given because his mother bore him in pain. Despite the somber meaning, the biblical Jabez is noted for being more honorable than his brothers and for his famous prayer for blessing and protection.
Less common today
Jabez isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,305 in 2002.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
British businessman and Member of Parliament
The farmer who sells his soul to the devil · The Devil and Daniel Webster
The pawnbroker in the Sherlock Holmes story · The Red-Headed League
American lawyer and diplomat
