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Channa

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Channa

Pronounced KHAH-nuh /ˈxɑː.nə/Medium

Meaning: Channa is chiefly the Hebrew Chana, a form of Hannah from Channah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor', its ch- the guttural chet sound. The same spelling also occurs as a Sanskrit-derived name in South Asian use, so origin can point Hebrew or Indian.Low

In 30 seconds: Channa is the Hebrew form of Hannah, meaning 'grace' — and also appears as a Sanskrit name (said 'KHAH-nuh').

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Origin LowHebrew, Sanskrit

MeaningChanna is chiefly the Hebrew Chana, a form of Hannah from Channah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor', its ch- the guttural chet sound. The same spelling also occurs as a Sanskrit-derived name in South Asian use, so origin can point Hebrew or Indian.

U.S. rank (2024)#15706 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1984

Total births (all-time)≈ 873

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Channa is most often the Hebrew Chana, the original of Hannah, from Channah, 'grace' or 'favor'. It is borne in the Bible by the mother of the prophet Samuel and remains a traditional Jewish name. A separate Sanskrit-rooted Channa also exists in South Asian communities, so the same written name carries two heritages.

In the U.S. it has always been rare, sustained quietly by Jewish and South Asian families into the twenty-first century. A Channa here may be of any recent generation; the name is an uncommon heritage form while its English cousin Hannah is a modern favorite.

Did you know? In Hebrew the ch of Channa is the throaty chet, not an English 'ch', so the name is said closer to 'KHAH-nah' — the same name as the biblical Hannah, mother of Samuel.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Channa — Hebrew Chana / Hannah; Sanskrit use

Variations

ChanaHannahChanah

Nicknames

ChanHanni

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If you like Channa…

Chana— the standard Hebrew spelling of the same name

Hannah— the English form of the same root

Channah— a fuller Hebrew-style spelling

Shana— a like Hebrew feminine of similar sound

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Channa mean?

Channa is chiefly the Hebrew form of Hannah, from Channah meaning 'grace'; it also appears as a Sanskrit-derived name.

How do you pronounce Channa?

It's said KHAH-nuh /ˈxɑː.nə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Channa a boy or girl name?

Channa is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Channa?

Channa is rare in the U.S., a Hebrew heritage form of Hannah also used in South Asian families.