Cool! I've never seen Abner discussed here either. It don't particularly love it, but I'd still be tickled to see it used. :)
Other possible Abes:
Abednego :)
Abel - I like this one
Abijah
Abram
Gabriel
Jabez
Joab - another one I like
Moab
Three boys nappin', one mama namenerdin'
To peruse my top 100ish names:
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/82589
"My Inner Birthing Mother Paddles a Canoe" and other non-name musings
found on my blog:
http://jodifriesen.blogspot.ca/2014/07/paddle-power.html