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Home › Baby Names Directory › Hannibal

Hannibal

♂ Boy

Pronounced HAN-ih-bul /ˈhæn.ɪ.bəl/High

Meaning: From the Phoenician/Punic Hannibaal, 'the grace/gift/favour of Baal' (hann, 'grace', + Baal, a Phoenician god) — the Carthaginian general Hannibal; we note the deity elementLow

In 30 seconds: The grace/gift of Baal: Hannibal is Phoenician. Bold, classic, and warm.
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Origin LowPhoenician
MeaningFrom the Phoenician/Punic Hannibaal, 'the grace/gift/favour of Baal' (hann, 'grace', + Baal, a Phoenician god) — the Carthaginian general Hannibal; we note the deity element
U.S. rank (2024)#8541 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 778

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201518852024

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

Hannibal comes from the Phoenician/Punic Hannibaal, 'the grace/gift/favour of Baal' (hann, 'grace', + Baal, a Phoenician god) — the Carthaginian general Hannibal (we note the deity element). A bold, classic name (said 'HAN-ih-bul').

In the U.S. it appears as a historic name (also a place). Rare, the-grace-of-Baal at the root, and bold.

Did you know? Hannibal means 'the grace/gift of Baal' in Phoenician (the Carthaginian general Hannibal) — a bold, classic name (we note the deity element; said 'HAN-ih-bul').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Hannibal — deity element

Variations

HanibalAnibalAnnibale

Nicknames

Hanni

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Hannibal…

Anibal— the Spanish form
Amilcar— a sound-neighbor Punic boys' name
Adonys— another Phoenician name
Adonis— another Phoenician name
Adonnis— another Phoenician name

Explore names like Hannibal

By themehistoricphoenician
By meaningGod / DivineGraceGift / Blessing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Hannibal mean?

Hannibal is Phoenician for 'the grace/gift of Baal' (the Carthaginian general). We note the deity element.

How do you pronounce Hannibal?

It's said HAN-ih-bul /ˈhæn.ɪ.bəl/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hannibal a boy or girl name?

Hannibal is a boy's name.

How popular is Hannibal?

Hannibal is a very rare name in the U.S.

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