Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Hannah
GirlHebrew· “grace, favor”
- Meaning
- grace, favor
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- HA-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #56
- US babies 2025
- 3,973
- Best rank
- #2 (1998)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Hannah
Hannah is a Hebrew name that means “grace, favor”.
Hannah comes from the Hebrew Channah, "grace" or "favor". In the First Book of Samuel, Hannah prays for a child and becomes the mother of the prophet Samuel, and her song of thanksgiving is one of the Bible's early poems. The same name reached Europe through Greek and Latin as Anna, which gave rise to Anne and many other forms. English Puritans used the Hebrew form Hannah directly, and it stayed common in England and colonial America. Hannah More, the English writer and philanthropist, is a notable historical bearer. The name is a palindrome, reading the same in both directions, and it feels gentle, classic and warm.
Popularity over time
Hannah has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1998, and the most babies received it in 2000, when 23,087 were named Hannah. In 2025, 3,973 babies were named Hannah, and it ranked #56 nationally. That is 38% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #300 in 1920, #666 in 1950, #213 in 1980, #2 in 2000, #20 in 2010, and #56 in 2025. Of the 465,685 US girls named Hannah since records began, 34% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 155,784 babies. Since 2010, 90,736 more have been named Hannah.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Madison, Emily, Alyssa, Brianna, and Sydney.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hannah ranked highest in New Jersey, Wyoming, and Rhode Island.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #25 | 182 |
| Wyoming | #26 | 9 |
| Rhode Island | #28 | 20 |
| Maryland | #35 | 86 |
| New York | #44 | 270 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Hannah is usually pronounced HA-nuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-ah”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Hanna and Hana.
Middle names for Hannah
A few middle names that flow with Hannah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hannah
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Lists that include Hannah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hannah mean?
Hannah is a Hebrew name that means “grace, favor”.
What is the origin of the name Hannah?
Hannah has Hebrew roots. Hannah comes from the Hebrew Channah, "grace" or "favor".
Is Hannah a popular name?
Yes. Hannah ranked #56 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Hannah a boy or girl name?
Hannah is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Hannah?
Hannah is usually pronounced HA-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings