Rising since 2019, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Chananya since 1994
Babies named Chananya per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2006, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Chananya's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 12 |
| 2000s | 40 |
| 2010s | 32 |
| 2020s | 21 |
Meaning & origin
Chananya is a rare Hebrew name that entered U.S. records in 1994 and reached a peak rank of 8,243 in 2025, the same year it appears most frequently. Its trajectory has been steadily rising since 2019, reflecting a slow but consistent growth in usage among families seeking biblical names with strong religious connections. With an estimated 1-in-189,786 occurrence, Chananya is not widely used but carries a distinct identity tied to the ancient Hebrew tradition. The name's relative obscurity makes it a distinctive choice for those drawn to Old Testament roots without the frequency of more common names like Ethan or Noah. No state concentrations are recorded, indicating broad but sparse distribution across the country.
Chananya is a Hebrew name derived from the root חנן (ḥnn), meaning 'grace' or 'favor,' combined with יה (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh. It shares the same elements as the more common name Chananiah, appearing in the Hebrew Bible as the name of several figures, including a chief of the tribe of Simeon and a court official in the Book of Jeremiah. The name has been used consistently among Jewish communities but remains rare in the broader English-speaking world.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Chani, Nanya
Variants: Chananiah, Hananiah
Sibling names for Chananya
Names that share Chananya's style, for a brother or sister.
