"God has favored, grace of God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Ananias
Does Ananias flow with your last name?
A rare biblical saint name with ancient grace
Christian
American
Greek Orthodox
Spiritual
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Meaning & Origin
"Yahweh is gracious"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Greek
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Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Ananias and Sapphira, biblical figures who lied and died in Acts 5
The Story of Ananias
Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah, composed of Hanan (grace, favor) and Yah (God), meaning God is gracious or favored by God. The name appears multiple times in the New Testament, most notably for Ananias of Damascus who healed Saul’s blindness, and less favorably for Ananias of Jerusalem who deceived the apostles.
Ananias was common in early Christian communities and remained in use in Greek Orthodox traditions. In the English-speaking world, it is rare but has appeared in devout Christian families drawn to its deep biblical roots and distinction from common -ias names.
In Christian tradition, Ananias of Damascus is venerated as a saint in the Catholic and Orthodox churches. He is remembered as the brave disciple who, despite fear, obeyed God’s command to restore sight to Saul (later Paul), playing a pivotal role in the birth of Christianity.
Historical Record
Ananias first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 693 babies have been named Ananias in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ananias is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,734 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ananias of Damascus is venerated as a saint on January 25 in the Catholic calendar
- The name Ananias appears at least three times in the New Testament referring to different individuals
Ananias in Other Languages
Greek
Ανανίας
Latin
Ananias
Arabic
حنانيا
Hebrew
חֲנַנְיָה
Popularity Over Time
#2,734
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ananias
A
Ananias of Damascus
Religious
Christian disciple who restored Paul’s sight after his conversion; venerated as a saint
A
Ananias Dare
Other
Father of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas (Roanoke Colony, 1587)
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Compare Ananias with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,734
- Total SSA Count
- 48
- Cultural Origins
- Christian American Greek Orthodox
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Anas
Nani
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ananias
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ananias
What does the name Ananias mean?
"God has favored, grace of God" (from Hebrew). "Yahweh is gracious" (from Hebrew). Ananias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hananiah, composed of Hanan (grace, favor) and Yah (God), meaning God is gracious or favored by God. The name appears multiple times in the New Testament, most notably for Ananias of Damascus who healed Saul’s blindness, and less favorably for Ananias of Jerusalem who deceived the apostles.
What is the origin of the name Ananias?
Ananias has Hebrew, Christian, American, and Greek Orthodox origins. In Hebrew, it means "God has favored, grace of God". In Hebrew, it means "Yahweh is gracious".
Is Ananias a boy or girl name?
Ananias is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Ananias?
Ananias is currently ranked #2734 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ananias?
Common nicknames for Ananias include Anas and Nani.
What are good middle names for Ananias?
Popular middle name pairings include Ananias James, Ananias Paul, Ananias Emmanuel, Ananias David, and Ananias Michael.
What are good sibling names for Ananias?
Names that pair well with Ananias as siblings include Barnabas, Tobias, Ezra, Lydia, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Ananias have?
Ananias has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ananias a common or rare name?
Ananias is an uncommon name, ranked #2734 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Ananias?
About the Name Ananias
Ananias is a boy name with Christian, American, and Greek Orthodox origins . The name means "God has favored, grace of God" in Hebrew .
Ananias is currently ranked #2,734 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ananias has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ananias include Anas and Nani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ananias include Anand, Anant . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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