Find out how popular the first name Chana has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Chana by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Chana is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 394 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Chana.

The history of the first name Chana

The given name Chana originates from the Hebrew language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "channah," which means "grace" or "favor." The name is often associated with the biblical figure Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, whose story is narrated in the Book of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible.

In the biblical account, Hannah was initially barren but fervently prayed to God for a son. Her prayers were answered, and she gave birth to Samuel, whom she dedicated to the service of God. The name Chana, therefore, carries a spiritual and religious significance, representing the idea of grace and answered prayers.

The earliest recorded use of the name Chana can be traced back to ancient Hebrew scriptures, where it appears in various forms, such as Channah or Hanna. Throughout history, the name has been borne by several notable individuals, including Chana Revitch (1898-1970), a Yiddish actress and singer from Poland, and Chana Szenes (1920-1944), a Hungarian-born Jewish resistance fighter during World War II.

Another prominent figure was Chana Bloch (1940-2017), an American poet and translator who specialized in translating Hebrew literature into English. Additionally, Chana Maayan (born 1958) is an Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset, Israel's parliament.

The name Chana has also been associated with religious and spiritual leaders. One such example is Chana Weinberg (1924-1964), a prominent Hasidic teacher and author from Canada, known for her teachings on Jewish spirituality and women's issues.

Throughout the centuries, the name Chana has transcended cultural and geographic boundaries, appearing in various spellings and pronunciations across different communities and regions. While maintaining its Hebrew roots, the name has been embraced by diverse cultures, each adding their unique cultural and linguistic nuances to its meaning and significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Chana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Chana, please contact us.

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