noun
Common
Hannah
HA-nuh
Hannah (noun) means a common female given name of Hebrew origin, also the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. Example: “Their daughter was named Hannah after her great-grandmother.”
noun
1
A common female given name of Hebrew origin, also the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament.
"Their daughter was named Hannah after her great-grandmother."
"Hannah has been one of the most popular girls' names for decades."
How to use Hannah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA girl's name meaning "grace," notable for reading the same forwards and backwards.
Common pairings
named Hannah
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Word forms
- Plural
- Hannahs
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Their daughter was named _____ after her great-grandmother.
Etymology
From the Hebrew Ḥannâ, meaning "grace" or "favour" — the same root gives us Ann, Anna, and Anne.
Rhymes for Hannah
See all rhymes for Hannah →Frequently asked questions
What does “Hannah” mean?
The word “Hannah” means a common female given name of Hebrew origin, also the name of the mother of the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. In plain terms, a girl's name meaning "grace," notable for reading the same forwards and backwards.
How do you pronounce “Hannah”?
“Hannah” is pronounced HA-nuh (/ˈhænə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Hannah” in a sentence?
Here is “Hannah” used in a sentence: “Their daughter was named Hannah after her great-grandmother.”
What part of speech is “Hannah”?
“Hannah” is a noun.
Where does the word “Hannah” come from?
The word “Hannah” comes from Hebrew. From the Hebrew Ḥannâ, meaning "grace" or "favour" — the same root gives us Ann, Anna, and Anne.
Is “Hannah” a common word?
“Hannah” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How do you spell the name — Hannah, Hanna, or Hana?
"Hannah" is the standard English spelling and matches the traditional biblical form. "Hanna" is a common variant in Scandinavia and parts of Europe, while "Hana" appears as a name in Czech, Japanese, and Arabic traditions. Because all are legitimate given names, the right spelling is whichever the individual uses.
Is Hannah a palindrome?
Yes. "Hannah" reads the same backward and forward, making it one of the best-known palindromic names in English. The symmetry is a spelling coincidence rather than anything to do with the name's Hebrew origin, but it makes Hannah a favorite in puzzles and wordplay.
Who was Hannah in the Bible?
In the Old Testament, Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel. Her story, told at the start of the First Book of Samuel, shows her praying for a child and later dedicating her son to God's service, which gives the name lasting associations of faith and devotion.
What is the origin of the name Hannah?
Hannah is of Hebrew origin, from a name traditionally understood to mean "grace" or "favor." It spread through the Old Testament figure Hannah, mother of the prophet Samuel, and it remains a popular choice for girls across the English-speaking world.
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