Hannah is a beautiful and timeless name of Hebrew origin. It comes from the Hebrew word "Channah," which means "grace" or "favor." In the Bible, Hannah is the mother of Samuel, one of the major prophets in Jewish history. She was known for her faith and prayers, which eventually led to the birth of her son.
The name Hannah has been popular throughout history and across different cultures. In Wales, it is often used as a feminine given name. In English-speaking countries, it gained popularity during the 19th century and has remained a favored choice ever since.
There are several notable figures with the name Hannah. One of them is Hannah Arendt, a renowned German-American political philosopher who wrote extensively on totalitarianism and the nature of evil. Another famous Hannah is Hannah Montana, a fictional character from a popular Disney Channel television series, which further popularized the name in recent times.
In literature, the name Hannah appears in works by prominent authors such as Charlotte Brontë's "Jane Eyre" and Emma Tennant's "Queen of the Slush Pile." These appearances demonstrate the enduring appeal and versatility of this classic name across various forms of media and art.
Overall, Hannah is a charming and elegant name with deep historical roots. Its meaningful origin and widespread popularity make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a name that combines timelessness and uniqueness.
The name Hannah experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. From 1880 to around 1970, it maintained a steady but modest level of popularity, with an average of about 250-300 births per year. However, starting from 1972, there was a dramatic increase in its popularity, peaking in the late 1980s and early 1990s with over 10,000 births per year.
After reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Hannah started to decline. From around 2010 onwards, it has maintained a relatively stable level of popularity, with approximately 5,000-7,000 births per year. Despite this decline from its peak, Hannah remains a popular choice for parents, with over 4,000 births recorded annually in recent years.