Anibal is of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "Annibalis," which means "favored by the goddess Anna Perenna." This name was popularized by Hannibal Barca, a Carthaginian general renowned for his military campaigns against Rome during the Second Punic War. In Spain, Anibal has been traditionally used as a given name and is often found in regions with historical ties to Hannibal Barca's family. It is also used in other Spanish-speaking countries but remains relatively rare compared to more common names like Juan or Luis.
The name Anibal experienced fluctuating popularity over the years, with peaks of 7 births in 1992 and consistent lower numbers ranging from 5 to 7 births annually from 1977 onwards. Overall, there were a total of 22 babies named Anibal during this period.