Abimael

Abimael is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin. The name is commonly interpreted as a combination of elements meaning "father" and "El" (God), and is often rendered as "God is my father" or "my father is El." In biblical and later onomastic usage, Abimael appears as a personal name in genealogies and religious texts, and has continued to be used in Jewish, Christian, and some secular contexts. While not among the most common names today, it has seen periodic use in various cultures influenced by Hebrew or Christian naming traditions, including in parts of Latin America where biblical names are prevalent.

The most widely known bearer of the name in recent history is Abimael Guzmán Reinoso (1934–2021), a Peruvian philosopher and former professor who founded the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso), a Maoist insurgent movement that operated in Peru from the late 20th century into the 1990s. Guzmán led the organization for decades before his capture in 1992; he died in prison in 2021. His notoriety is primarily within studies of modern Peruvian history and insurgent movements.

Beyond Guzmán, the given name Abimael remains relatively rare and is primarily encountered in Spanish-speaking regions and among communities with biblical naming practices. It is one of several Hebrew-derived names that have persisted in various Christian-influenced naming traditions.