'Hannah' originates from Hebrew, specifically the word 'חַנָּה' (Channah), where the root 'חָנַן' meant 'to be gracious' or 'to show favor'.

'Hannah' changed from the Hebrew name 'Channah' into the Greek form 'Anna' (used in the Septuagint and New Testament) and through Latin 'Anna' into Middle English forms like 'Hanna' and the modern English 'Hannah'.

Initially, it meant 'grace' or 'favor' in Hebrew; over time it has remained primarily a personal name while retaining that original sense as the name's meaning.