Hanna
HA-nuh
Hanna is a streamlined spelling of Hannah, rooted in the Hebrew Channah (חַנָּה), meaning “grace” or “favour.” The single-N ending aligns with Scandinavian and German conventions.
In the Hebrew Bible, Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel, whose fervent prayer became a model of devotion. The story ensured the name’s enduring popularity across Jewish and Christian communities for millennia.
Hanna reached No. 165 in 1998 with 1,898 births, coinciding with peak interest in the double-N form. In 2024, it ranks No. 504 with 605 births.
What the name Hanna means
The name gained cultural visibility through actress Hanna Schygulla, a star of New German Cinema, and the 2011 action film Hanna starring Saoirse Ronan.
Two syllables—HAN-uh—deliver a clean, open sound. The strong initial H and soft vowel ending give it a balanced feel that works across many languages.
Parents who prefer Hanna over Hannah often appreciate its visual simplicity and European sensibility. It reads as slightly more international than its double-N sibling.
Variants include Hannah (English standard), Hana (Czech, Japanese), Anya (Russian diminutive of Anna, a related name), and Chana (Yiddish). All share the same Hebrew foundation.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Hanna
Hanna - similar names
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