Hanna is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "grace" or "favor". It is derived from the Hebrew word "channah", which also means "graced by God". The name has been used throughout history and is known for its biblical connections.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, Hanna is mentioned as one of the wives of Elkanah. She was barren but eventually gave birth to Samuel, who grew up to become a prophet in ancient Israel. This story has made Hanna a popular name among Christians and Jews alike.
The name Hanna gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages through the works of medieval poets like Dante Alighieri, who featured a character named Hanna in his Divine Comedy. It also appears in several other literary works, including those by Goethe and Shakespeare.
In some cultures, Hanna is associated with the Virgin Mary, as it was one of her names in ancient tradition. This further contributed to its popularity among religious communities.
Today, Hanna remains a popular name worldwide, especially in Scandinavian countries where it is often spelled with an extra 'n' (Hann[a]). While it may have different spelling variations and pronunciation depending on the language and culture, its meaning of "grace" or "favor" transcends these differences.
The name Hanna has been given to a total of 40,806 babies born in the United States since 1880, according to the data provided.
Looking at the annual statistics from 1880 onwards, we can observe that the popularity of the name Hanna varied significantly over time. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the number of births with the name Hanna ranged between a low of 11 in 1934 to a high of 46 in 1917.
However, starting from the mid-20th century, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Hanna. In 1957, the number of births with this name reached 22, and it continued to rise steadily throughout the following decades. The peak in popularity for the name Hanna occurred between the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a high of 1,377 births in 1994.
After reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Hanna began to decline gradually. By the year 2000, the number of births with this name had decreased to 1,912. This downward trend continued throughout the early 21st century, with the number of births with the name Hanna dropping to 550 in 2021.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Hanna has remained relatively stable, with approximately 550-600 births per year from 2017 to 2023. This indicates that while the name Hanna is still being chosen for babies born in the United States, it may no longer be considered as popular as it once was during its peak years.
In conclusion, the statistics provided show that the name Hanna has been given to a significant number of babies born in the United States over the past 143 years. While its popularity has fluctuated throughout this time period, reaching a peak in the mid-1990s, it remains a commonly chosen name for newborn girls today.