Ahab was named by his insane, widowed mother, who died when he was twelve months old. It is interesting to note the etymology of the name Ahab derives from the Hebrew Ahavah and Aheb meaning "to love" or "beloved" as cited in Strong’s Concordance no. 157 & 160. At 18 years old, Ahab first took to sea as a boy-harpooner. Less than three voyages ago, Ahab married a sweet, resigned girl, with whom he has a young son. He has been in colleges and among the cannibals, and has seen deeper wonders than the waves. He has fixed his lance, the keenest and surest on the isle of Nantucket, in stranger foes than whales.