Declining since 2018, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Hanniel since 2005
Babies named Hanniel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2017, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hanniel's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 13 |
| 2010s | 56 |
| 2020s | 47 |
Meaning & origin
Hanniel is a rare biblical name that has seen minimal modern usage. First recorded in U.S. data in 2005, it reached its highest rank of 7,194 in 2025, with a peak in 2023 in terms of raw count. The name has been on a slight downward trend since 2018, remaining well outside the mainstream. Its biblical roots carry a strong religious significance, though its unfamiliarity may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive and traditional name with a clear meaning. The name has no strong association with any U.S. state, as its usage is sparse nationwide.
Hanniel is a variant spelling of Haniel, a name found in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a prince of the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 34:23). The name is derived from Hebrew roots חָנַן (ḥanan) meaning 'to be gracious' and אֵל (ʾel) meaning 'God'. It has been used as a given name in Jewish and later Christian contexts, though it remains rare in modern times.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Han, Hanny, Niel
Sibling names for Hanniel
Names that share Hanniel's style, for a brother or sister.
