"divinely favored"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Hannah
Pronunciation: [ h-AN-uh ]
Does Hannah flow with your last name?
A palindrome of grace — the same from any direction
Hebrew
English
German
American
Biblical
Gentle
Cross Gender
Palindrome
Classic
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The Story of Hannah
Hannah comes from the Hebrew 'Channah,' meaning grace, favor, or mercy — specifically the kind of divine favor or grace granted by God. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the mother of the prophet Samuel, who prayed fervently for a child after years of barrenness, and whose story is one of the most moving accounts of faith and perseverance in scripture. Hannah is one of the rare names that is a perfect palindrome — it reads the same forwards and backwards — a mathematical symmetry that mirrors its spiritual meaning of completeness and wholeness.
Hannah has been one of the most consistently popular names in the English-speaking world. It entered the top 10 in the US in the 1990s and remained there for over a decade, driven partly by the TV series Hannah Montana. As a boy's name, it is a deliberate cross-gender choice — the nickname Han (as in Han Solo) makes the leap feel natural and confident for a boy.
In the Biblical tradition, Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel is considered one of the most poignant expressions of faith in the Hebrew scriptures — her song of praise became a model for Mary's Magnificat in the New Testament. In German and Scandinavian cultures, Hannah has always been common for both girls and occasionally boys. The name's palindrome quality gives it a special resonance in cultures that view symmetry as spiritually significant.
Historical Record
Hannah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1979.
Over 716 babies have been named Hannah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hannah is past its peak , currently ranked #15,673 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Hannah is a perfect palindrome — it reads the same forwards and backwards
- The Biblical Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel is considered a masterwork of Hebrew poetry
- In Arabic, Hanna is used as a boy's name meaning grace or bliss, showing its true gender-neutral heritage
Hannah in Other Languages
Dutch
Hannah
Arabic
Hanna (حنّة)
German
Hanna
Hebrew
חַנָּה (Channah)
Finnish
Hanna
Popularity Over Time
#15,673
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Hannah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #15,673
- Total SSA Count
- 7
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English German American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Han
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hannah
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Hannah is also used as a girl name, ranked #52.
View Hannah as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Old French origin
"one who farms the land"
#15,625 in US
Isabella
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Hebrew origin
"pledged to God"
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"beloved darling"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hannah
What does the name Hannah mean?
"divinely favored" (from Hebrew). Hannah comes from the Hebrew 'Channah,' meaning grace, favor, or mercy — specifically the kind of divine favor or grace granted by God. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible as the mother of the prophet Samuel, who prayed fervently for a child after years of barrenness, and whose story is one of the most moving accounts of faith and perseverance in scripture. Hannah is one of the rare names that is a perfect palindrome — it reads the same forwards and backwards — a mathematical symmetry that mirrors its spiritual meaning of completeness and wholeness.
What is the origin of the name Hannah?
Hannah has Hebrew, English, German, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "divinely favored".
Is Hannah a boy or girl name?
Hannah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #15673. As a girl name, it is ranked #52. Hannah is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Hannah?
Hannah is pronounced h-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Hannah?
Hannah is currently ranked #15673 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hannah?
Common nicknames for Hannah include Han.
What are good middle names for Hannah?
Popular middle name pairings include Hannah James, Hannah Cole, Hannah Eli, Hannah River, and Hannah Birch.
What are good sibling names for Hannah?
Names that pair well with Hannah as siblings include Noah, Elijah, Ruth, Miriam, and Levi.
How many syllables does Hannah have?
Hannah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Hannah a common or rare name?
Hannah is an uncommon name, ranked #15673 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hannah
Hannah is a boy name with Hebrew, English, German, and American origins . The name means "divinely favored" in Hebrew .
Is Hannah a boy or girl name? Hannah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #15,673 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #52. Hannah is more commonly used as a girl name.
Hannah is currently ranked #15,673 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hannah has 2 syllables and is pronounced h-AN-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Hannah include Han. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis