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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is Hannah a modern classic or has it always been

42 replies

Bananavibez · 25/06/2026 07:31

Hannah is a standard girls name now, we all know one, but hasnt it been more of a classic since the 70s/80s, not before? Obviously its biblical so its an old name but it feels like its more of a recent "standard" classic as opposed to eg Jane, Sarah, etc.
Anyway what are your thoughts on it generally?

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oliviaAustin · 25/06/2026 10:22

I think it was a classic Jewish name but only became classic mainstream in the latter half of the 20th century.

Whynottryagain · 25/06/2026 10:19

I think it's a lovely classic name but not modern.

Lomonald · 25/06/2026 09:42

Purplecatshopaholic · 25/06/2026 09:31

Lovely name, but over used. We adopted a dog called Hannah. Had to change it as we know so many human ones, lol.

I would have kept it 😂

NamingNoNames · 25/06/2026 09:40

I don't know that many. Five, I think. Different ages. 2 of my friends' daughters and they're 1990s-born.
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Purplecatshopaholic · 25/06/2026 09:31

Lovely name, but over used. We adopted a dog called Hannah. Had to change it as we know so many human ones, lol.

FurForksSake · 25/06/2026 09:11

I grew up being excited by Hanna-barbera as it was almost my name until someone told me it was two men’s surnames of their animation studio 🤣

whatsadentist · 25/06/2026 09:09

NamingNoNames · 25/06/2026 09:03

It's a classic in that it it is from the Bible. I'd put it in the same bracket as Rachel, Martha, Harriet, Laura and the like.

If you were writing a novel, what sort of character would you name Hannah?

Notable Hannahs - Hannah Fry, Hannah Hampton Hannah Hauxwell, Hannah Gordon, Hanna Barbera, Hannah Montana, Hannah Waddingham ...

It gets my approval. I like Anna too but Hannah seems to have a bit more to it.

Edited

Hanna Barbera 😂😂😂😂

NamingNoNames · 25/06/2026 09:03

It's a classic in that it it is from the Bible. I'd put it in the same bracket as Rachel, Martha, Harriet, Laura and the like.

If you were writing a novel, what sort of character would you name Hannah?

Notable Hannahs - Hannah Fry, Hannah Hampton Hannah Hauxwell, Hannah Gordon, Hanna Barbera, Hannah Montana, Hannah Waddingham ...

It gets my approval. I like Anna too but Hannah seems to have a bit more to it.

mumof5five · 25/06/2026 08:09

My 14 year old daughter is Hannah. Lovely name

Lomonald · 25/06/2026 08:05

I have a Hannah in her early 30s, there was a few in her school year so it was common but not too popular iyswim, but i knew an older lady in her 90s who was Hannah and a 6 year old Hannah. So it is one of those names that comes and goes, I think mumsnet see it is a bland name but it is a classic imo.

lavenderrosedaisy · 25/06/2026 08:01

I love it, lots of my age around but haven’t come across many younger ones and always like it when I hear it!

Original poster
Bananavibez · 25/06/2026 08:00

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 25/06/2026 07:54

I feel like every time I read a Victoria novel and the maid’s name is mentioned, it’s a Hannah. And I say this as someone with Hannahs going back generations . Were they maids ?? No idea

edited to add - the heroines are never called Hannah but they’re definitely there!

Edited

Haha I know what you mean! Other Hannah-friendly contexts: in America shes always the cheesecloth-wearing pastors daughter 😅

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MyM8Marmite · 25/06/2026 07:58

It's a beautiful, classic name. You'll not meet many little ones with the name at all.

Goodmorningeveryone26 · 25/06/2026 07:54

I feel like every time I read a Victoria novel and the maid’s name is mentioned, it’s a Hannah. And I say this as someone with Hannahs going back generations . Were they maids ?? No idea

edited to add - the heroines are never called Hannah but they’re definitely there!

JuliettaCaeser · 25/06/2026 07:48

Overused to the point of confusion. Most of my sports team (aged late 20s early 30s) are called Hannah. Half of us on the team have that name its actually ridiculous. So definitely one to avoid.

BookishBobby · 25/06/2026 07:47

My DN is named Hannah. When her DM researched her family history there were several Hannah's in her family in previous centuries. Hannah is a name that often occurs in historical literature so, like many other Biblical names, it's a popular choice

GreenOpalFruits · 25/06/2026 07:39

My grandmother born in 1925 was Hannah