Chana is a Hebrew name that originates from the Semitic root "chn," which means "grace" or "beauty." It is often associated with the word "chönen," meaning "beautiful" in Yiddish. The name Chana has been used for centuries among Jewish communities around the world and has gained popularity beyond its cultural origins.
The name first appears in the Hebrew Bible as one of the wives of Elkanah, the father of the prophet Samuel. In this context, Chana is portrayed as a woman who was barren but eventually became pregnant after years of prayers and devotion. This story has made Chana an important figure for Jewish women struggling with infertility.
Throughout history, many notable individuals have borne the name Chana. One famous example is Chana Senesh, a Hungarian-Israeli poet and paratrooper during World War II who was captured and executed by Italian forces in 1944 while attempting to aid Jews in Europe. Her legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
In addition to its biblical roots, the name Chana has also been used in various forms of literature and art. For instance, it appears as a character's name in works such as "The Stories of Chana" by Sholem Aleichem and "Chana's Way" by Aharon Appelfeld.
Today, the name Chana remains popular among Jewish families but has also been adopted by non-Jewish parents who appreciate its meaning and sound. Whether derived from religious tradition or simply admired for its beauty, Chana continues to resonate with people across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
The name Chana has seen a notable evolution in its popularity over the past century in the United States. The statistics show that there were only 7 births with the name Chana in 1944, which increased to a peak of 394 births in 2023.
From the 1950s onwards, there was a steady increase in the number of babies named Chana each year. The highest point in this decade was reached in 1959 with 38 births, followed by a slight decline in popularity until the end of the 60s.
The 70s marked another significant rise in popularity for the name Chana, with a total of 170 births recorded in both 1976 and 1978. This trend continued into the early 80s, reaching its highest point at that time with 289 births in 1987.
However, after this peak, there was another decline before the name Chana started gaining popularity again from around the mid-90s onwards. By the year 2000, over 200 babies were named Chana annually.
The early 2000s saw further growth in popularity for the name, with more than 300 births recorded every year since 2014. The highest number of births with the name Chana occurred in recent years - with 394 births recorded in 2023 alone.
In total, over the past century, there have been 13,076 babies born in the United States named Chana. This data illustrates how the popularity of this name has fluctuated over time but has ultimately experienced a steady growth in recent decades.