Hanna

Hanna is a female first name derived from the Bible. It is a short form of an ancient Hebrew sentence name, where the theophoric element is missing.

What does the name Hanna mean?

Hanna is a female first name derived from the Bible. It is a short form of an ancient Hebrew sentence name, where the theophoric element is missing. The exact derivation and meaning are not secured. The name Hanna (Hebrew חַנָּה) either comes from the Hebrew verb root ḥnn (חנן) meaning 'to be gracious, to show mercy' and thus means 'God has shown mercy.' Or it derives from the Hebrew word ḥen (חֵן) meaning 'grace' and then has the meaning 'God is grace.' More generally, the name is often simply translated as 'the favored one.' Additionally, Hanna can also be seen as a short form of the biblical name Johanna ('God is gracious'). In the Bible, several persons named Hanna appear: In the Old Testament (1 Samuel), Hanna is the mother of the prophet Samuel. Also in the Old Testament (Book of Tobit), Hanna is the wife of the old Tobit and mother of Tobias. In the New Testament, Hanna appears as the name of a prophetess. A common variant, especially in German and English-speaking areas, is Hannah. In Christianity, Hanna and Anna are often equated, so the widely used girl's name Anna also represents a variant of Hanna. In Slavic regions, the variant Hana is particularly common. A popular diminutive is also Hanni. The first name Hanna is widely used internationally. In Germany, it has been one of the most popular female first names for decades. For a long time, the spelling Hannah was predominantly used in Germany, but in recent years, the original form Hanna has gained popularity and is now even slightly more popular than Hannah. The Slavic variant Hana is also popular in Germany, although somewhat less frequently than Hanna/Hannah.

Where does the name Hanna come from?

Etymology The name Hanna derives from an ancient Hebrew sentence name with a missing theophoric element. The first name Hanna contains either the Hebrew verb root ḥnn/חנן (to be gracious, to show mercy) or the Hebrew noun ḥen/חֵן (grace). Since the theophoric element is missing, the meaning is actually '(he) has shown mercy' or '(he) is grace,' but is usually completed as 'God has shown mercy' or 'God is grace.' Ancient Hebrew Biblical

How do you pronounce Hanna?

Sound & Pronunciation of Hanna: The name Hanna is two syllables and symmetrically structured. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Han-na' [ˈhana], with the doubling of the 'n' providing a rhythmic center. The open vowels give the name warmth and clarity. Hanna appears timeless and harmonious - down-to-earth, friendly, and present.

When is the name day of Hanna?

The name day for Hanna is on February 3 in memory of the prophetess Hanna and on December 9 in memory of Hanna, the mother of Samuel.

Popularity

The girl's name Hanna was already well established in Germany in the late 19th century and at times reached the top 10, including rank 6 in 1889. Until the early 1910s, it mostly ranged between the top 20 and top 50, making it one of the popular first names of its time. From the 1920s to the 1950s, the name mostly remained in the range of the top 70 to top 100, thus being solidly represented without belonging to the absolute top group.

Nicknames & pet names

Ananas / Ha / Haenchen / Han / Hananas / Hann / Hanna Banana / Hannachen / Hannaese / Hannah Montana / Hannaleini / Hannali / Hannanas / Hannchen / Hannette / Hanni / Hanni Bunny / Hanniball / Hanniball-Hähnchen / Hannibanni / Hannibell / Hannibunny / Hannibällchen / Hannie / Hannienchen / Hannifa / Hannilein / Hannileinchen / Hannileini / Hannimaus / Hanninchen / Hanningo / Hannschi / Hannu / Hannuscha / Hannuschka / Hantschi / Hanuschka / Hanuta / Hanuter / Hanutschka / Hatschgi / Havanna / Honey / Honeymoon / Honny / Hähnchen / Hänchen / Hänna / Hänne / Hänneli / Hänsel / Nanni / Schnanni

Similar first names

Famous people

• Hana Nitsche (German model)
• Hanna Alstrom (Swedish actress)
• Hanna Arendt (notable philosopher)
• Hanna Aroni (Israeli singer)
• Hanna Banaszak (Polish singer)
• Hanna Barth (German painter)
• Hanna Batatu (American historian)
• Hanna Binke (actress)
• Hanna Bredal Oftedal (Norwegian handball player)
• Hanna Büldge (table tennis player from Germany)
• Hanna Eigel (figure skater from Austria)
• Hanna Folge Deinem Herzen (telenovela by ZDF)
• Hanna Grisebach (German art historian)
• Hanna Haering (German table tennis player)
• Hanna Hedlund (Swedish singer)
• Hanna Julian (German writer)
• Hanna Kobylinski (German historian)
• Hanna Leybrand (writer from Germany)
• Hanna Lützen (Danish writer)
• Hanna Margarete Meyer (Swiss writer)