Hanna
/ˈhænə/
proper noun
Origin
Hebrew
חנן (ḥ-n-n) — to show favor or be gracious
Overview
Meaning Now
- A female given name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'grace' or 'favor'.
Literal older meaning
grace
Language path
Hebrew → Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
חַנָּה (Ḥannāh)
Earliest period
Biblical period
Journey
The name Hanna is a variant of Hannah, deriving from the Hebrew name Ḥannāh. In the Bible, Hannah is a significant figure known for her prayer and the dedication of her son, Samuel, to God. While 'Anna' remains a common variant due to Greek and Latin influence, the 'H' spelling gained prominence in Central and Northern European cultures before spreading to English-speaking regions.
Evolution
- Biblical Hebrew
חַנָּה
“grace”
Name of the mother of the prophet Samuel.
- Septuagint (Greek)
Ἄννα (Anna)
“grace”
Transliteration into Koine Greek.
- Medieval Latin/Old French
Anna
“grace”
Standardized Latin form used across Europe.
- Modern English
Hanna
“grace”
Re-introduction of the aspirated 'H' common in German and Scandinavian naming traditions.
Connections
Word parts
Hanna
root
grace
Related across languages
Hebrew
חנה
grace
Greek
Ἄννα
grace
Russian
Анна
grace
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Related to Hanna
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.