Hannibal Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Hannibal has Phoenician roots, meaning 'grace of Baal.' It evolved from its original form Ḥannībaʿl to the Latin and then English versions. The name is often associated with traits of strategic brilliance and military prowess, especially due to the legacy of Hannibal Barca. There is no biblical relevance, and the name has seen a resurgence in modern times through various cultural references.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Hannibal"
Pronunciation
/ˈhæ.nɪ.bəl/
Origin
Phoenician
Etymology
The name Hannibal derives from the Phoenician name Ḥannībaʿl, meaning 'grace of Baal.' Baal was a god worshipped in ancient Canaanite and Phoenician cultures.
Meaning
grace of Baal
Language Evolution
Ḥannībaʿl (Phoenician), Hannibal (Latin), Hannibal (English)
Historical Usage
The name Hannibal gained prominence due to the Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca, who is famous for his military tactics during the Second Punic War against Rome in the 3rd century BCE. It has since been used in various cultures and contexts.
Variants & Derivatives
Hannibala, Hanny, Hannibalito
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Hannibal is often associated with historical significance due to Hannibal Barca, as well as popular culture references, notably in literature and film, where it can evoke images of cunning and strategy.
Famous People
Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian general), Hannibal Lecter (fictional character in literature and film)
📊 Hannibal Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Hannibal Name Visualizations
✨ Hannibal Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 19 peak births in 2015
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in New York
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Hannibal"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Hannibal"
"Hannibal" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3228th of 7545 | 105 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4254th of 6773 | 46 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4746th of 7552 | 40 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3610th of 10718 | 130 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4426th of 16616 | 173 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8324th of 24088 | 120 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6496th of 23106 | 154 |
Regional Popularity of "Hannibal" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
59.17% 2648th/4475 |
- | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Hannibal" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Hannibal"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Hannibal" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Hannibal" in the United States
The name Hannibal is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Hannibal has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Hannibal' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3228th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4254th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4746th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3610th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4426th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8324th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6496th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Hannibal' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.