Hannah, derived from the Hebrew name Channah, has been a popular given name for centuries. It translates to "grace" or "favor," reflecting its biblical origins as the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. In many cultures, Hannah is associated with strength and resilience due to her unwavering faith in difficult times.
In English-speaking countries, the name Hannah gained significant popularity during the Victorian era and has since remained a favored choice for parents. It reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s but continues to be among the top thousand names given to girls annually. Variations of Hannah include Anna, Annie, and even the unisex name Rowan.
The name Hannah has inspired numerous literary works and cultural references throughout history. It was the title character in Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare, and more recently, it has been used as a main character's name in popular young adult novels such as "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han.
Moreover, Hannah has been adopted by various languages worldwide, with translations including Hana in Japanese, Anna in Italian, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Swedish, among others. This demonstrates the widespread appeal and universality of this classic name.
In terms of notable figures bearing the name Hannah, there are many examples across different fields. These include Hannah Arendt, a renowned philosopher and political theorist; Hannah Montana, the fictional character from the popular Disney Channel series that was inspired by the name; and Hannah Waddingham, an English actress known for her role in "Ted Lasso." This diversity illustrates how the name Hannah can evoke both timelessness and contemporaneity.
The name Hannah experienced significant popularity between the late 1980s and mid-1990s, with a peak of 46 births in 1989. However, it has since declined, with fewer than 10 births per year since 2013. Overall, there have been 721 births named Hannah from 1919 to 2022.