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Anibal

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Anibal Pronunciation

Anibal is pronounced AH-nee-bahl /ˈɑ.ni.bɑl/High

Meaning: Spanish and Portuguese form of Hannibal, the Carthaginian general's Phoenician name — 'Baal is gracious' or 'grace of Baal'High

In 30 seconds: Elephants over the Alps, accent over the A: Anibal is Hannibal as the Spanish-speaking world says it — the Carthaginian genius whose name means 'Baal is gracious'. No fava beans involved.

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Origin HighSpanish, Phoenician

MeaningSpanish and Portuguese form of Hannibal, the Carthaginian general's Phoenician name — 'Baal is gracious' or 'grace of Baal'

U.S. rank (2024)#3388 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births34 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1990

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,890

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Anibal (Aníbal) is the Spanish-Portuguese form of Hannibal — Phoenician Hanniba'al, 'Baal is gracious' — the Carthaginian commander whose Alpine elephants and battlefield genius haunted Rome for a generation. Iberia, once Carthage's province, kept his name in respectable rotation: presidents of Portugal-adjacent history (Aníbal Cavaco Silva) and Mexican boxers alike.

In the U.S. the name lives in Latino families, untroubled by Hollywood's cannibal namesake of a different spelling. Rare, accented, and unconquered.

Did you know? Hannibal crossed the Alps with war elephants in 218 BC and stayed undefeated in Italy for fifteen years — Rome's nightmare became Latin America's respectable first name.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Hannibal — etymology

Variations

AníbalHannibalAnnibale

Nicknames

AniBali

Famous Bearers

★Aníbal Cavaco Silva (1939–present)
Portuguese economist who served as prime minister and president of Portugal.

If you like Anibal…

Hector— a fellow ancient-warrior classic in Latino use

Horacio— the companion Latin literary name

Cristobal— lands in the same popularity range

Augusto— a fellow Spanish choice

Yovani— shares Anibal's Spanish roots

→ See all names like Anibal

Browse the whole category: All Spanish names → · All Phoenician names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Anibal?

Anibal is pronounced AH-nee-bahl (/ˈɑ.ni.bɑl/). Press play above to hear Anibal said aloud.

How do you say Anibal?

Anibal is said AH-nee-bahl (/ˈɑ.ni.bɑl/). Press play above to hear Anibal said aloud.

What does the name Anibal mean?

Anibal is the Spanish form of Hannibal, the Carthaginian name meaning 'Baal is gracious'.

Is Anibal a boy or girl name?

Anibal is a boy's name.

How popular is Anibal?

Anibal is a rare name in the U.S., traditional in Latin America and Iberia.