Chana as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Chana

What is the meaning of the name Chana ?

The baby name Chana is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Hebrew: KHAH-nah (approx. /ˈχana/); English: HAN-uh or KHAH-nuh (approx. /ˈhɑːnə/ or /ˈxɑːnə/).

Chana is Hebrew in Origin.

Chana is a Hebrew feminine name (pronounced KHAH-nah) derived from the Semitic root ḥ-n-n, meaning “grace,” “favor,” or “compassion.” In the Hebrew Bible, Chana (often rendered Hannah) is the devout mother of the prophet Samuel, remembered for a heartfelt prayer that becomes a model of worship; her story imbued the name with connotations of piety and divine kindness. The name has remained a staple within Jewish communities across centuries, spanning Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions and modern Israel.

Variants and related forms include Hannah, Channah, Khana; Yiddish Khane; and international descendants Anna, Anne, Ann, Ana, Annette, Annika, and Nancy. Diminutives such as Chani and Chanale circulate in religious and Yiddish-speaking circles. Spelling reflects transliteration choices: the initial “Ch/Kh” marks a guttural sound as in Bach. Usage has broadened with the revival of traditional Hebrew names, while retaining strong cultural resonance in Jewish families.