Shakespeare scholars do not agree why Mercutio is referring to Cupid with the nickname Young Abraham. Some possible interpretations are:

• Abraham is a reference to the biblical character who is usually portrayed as a wise old man. Although Cupid is portrayed as a boy, he was old in the sense that he was one of the first gods created. (His love was necessary for the other gods to procreate.)
• Abraham was a reference to an “Abraham man,” someone who had a license to beg on the public streets because he was physically or mentally impaired. Such a person might resemble Cupid because he was half clothed and/or blind.
• Instead of “Young Abraham Cupid,” Shakespeare actually wrote “Young Adam Cupid,” a reference to Adam Bell, a famous archer during Shakespeare’s day.