Hanna

♀ Girl

Pronounced HAN-ah /ˈhænə/High

Meaning: Variant spelling of Hannah, from Hebrew Channah meaning 'grace' or 'favor' — literally 'God has graced me'; the biblical name of the mother of the prophet SamuelHigh

In 30 seconds: Hanna is the single-n spelling variant of the classic biblical Hannah, meaning 'grace.' Simpler in form but identical in sound, it has a clean, international feel popular across Scandinavia and the Arab world.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighHebrew

MeaningVariant spelling of Hannah, from Hebrew Channah meaning 'grace' or 'favor' — literally 'God has graced me'; the biblical name of the mother of the prophet Samuel

U.S. rank (2025)#512 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births580 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2000

Total births (all-time)≈ 41,998

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Hanna is a spelling variant of Hannah, from the Hebrew Channah (meaning 'grace' or 'favor'). In the Old Testament, Hannah was the mother of Samuel, famous for her fervent prayer at the temple. Her name became one of the most beloved in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition. The single-n Hanna spelling is common in Scandinavian, Arabic, and German traditions.

Hannah has been one of the most consistently popular girls' names in the English-speaking world, reaching a peak in the U.S. top 5 in the late 1990s. The Hanna spelling appeals to families with Scandinavian, Arabic, or German heritage, where single-n versions are standard. It also offers a subtly streamlined look.

Did you know? Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2 — the 'Song of Hannah' — is considered one of the great poems of the Hebrew Bible and is believed to have inspired the Magnificat of Mary in the New Testament, making Hannah's voice one of the most influential in all of scripture.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Hannah — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

HannahAnaAnnaHana

Nicknames

HanHannie

Famous Bearers

★Hannah (biblical figure) (biblical)
Mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament; famed for her prayer of faith.

If you like Hanna…

Hannah— the most common spelling of the same ancient Hebrew name

Anna— close Hebrew-origin classic with the same grace meaning and similar sound

Naomi— another beloved biblical Hebrew girls' name of similar character

Leah— Old Testament Hebrew name with the same simple, graceful feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hanna mean?

Hanna is a variant of Hannah, from Hebrew Channah meaning 'grace' or 'favor' — a name borne by the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Bible.

How do you pronounce Hanna?

It is said HAN-ah — two syllables, stress on the first, identical in sound to Hannah.

Is Hanna a boy or girl name?

Hanna is used exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Hanna?

Hanna (single n) is less common than Hannah in the U.S. but is popular in Scandinavia, Germany, and Arabic-speaking countries.