Girls · #56 in 2025
Hannah: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- Favor or grace
- Pronunciation
- HAN-uh
- Nickname options
- Not often shortened formall, Han and Hanny are sometimes used as affectionate family nicknames
Origin and meaning
Hannah comes from a Hebrew word associated with favor or grace. In the biblical story, Hannah is Samuel's mother. The name's familiar English spelling preserves a final H that is not separately pronounced.
U.S. popularity
Hannah ranked #56 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 3,973 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #2, reached in 1998–2000. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.
Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.
The Hello Baby Names take
Hannah feels balanced and steady. Its symmetry on paper is appealing, but its main strength is the natural, uncomplicated sound. It works for parents who want warmth and history without an elaborate nickname or a particularly ornamental spelling.
Things to consider
Hannah and Hanna sound identical, with Hanna being ranked 512 it would have little impact on how common the name might feel.
If you love Hannah, consider…
- Sarah: Offers similar biblical familiarity and simplicity.
- Abigail: Adds more syllables and a friendly nickname.
- Leah: Makes the gentle sound more compact.
- Naomi: Brings a more varied vowel pattern.
- Emily: Keeps the approachable classic mood.
- Anna: Offers a close, simpler sound.
- Grace: Condenses the grace-related theme into one syllable.
- Clara: Adds a crisper opening and vintage feel.