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Hannibal as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Hannibal

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The baby name Hannibal is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈhænɪbəl/ (HAN-i-bəl).

Gender: Male
Syllables: 3.0
Pronunciation: /ˈhænɪbəl/ (HAN-i-bəl)

What is the meaning of the name Hannibal ?

The baby name Hannibal is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈhænɪbəl/ (HAN-i-bəl).

Hannibal is in Origin.

Hannibal is a Punic (Phoenician) theophoric name from the elements ḥnn (“grace, favor”) and Baʿal (“lord,” the name of a deity), yielding the sense “Baal is gracious” or “the favor of Baal.” Latin preserved it as Hannibal, while Greek sources render it Hanníbas (Ἁννίβας). Notable later forms include Annibal (French), Aníbal (Spanish and Portuguese), Anibal (variant spelling), Annibale (Italian), and the English/German Hannibal.

Most famous as the name of Hannibal Barca, the Carthaginian general of the Second Punic War, it entered European consciousness through classical histories. Admiration for his generalship coexisted with reluctance to use a name invoking a non‑biblical god and Rome’s great adversary, so it remained rare in Christian Europe. Renaissance and Enlightenment classicism produced sporadic revivals, especially in Italy, France, and Iberia. Today Hannibal/Aníbal is uncommon in English but familiar in Romance languages, carrying connotations of strategy, audacity, and antiquity.

Hannibal has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Hannibal

Hannibal Politician · Born -246 · Ancient Carthage Hannibal was a prominent military commander from Ancient Carthage, best known for leading his army, including war elephants, across the Alps during the Second Punic War against Rome. His strategic prowess and daring tactics made him one of history's greatest military leaders. Hannibal Hamlin Politician · Born 1809 · United States Hannibal Hamlin is best known for serving as the 15th vice president of the United States under Abraham Lincoln from 1861 to 1865. An American politician and diplomat, he was also the first Republican to hold the vice presidency. Hannibal Buress Actor · Born 1983 · United States Hannibal Buress is an American comedian and actor best known for his stand-up comedy and for roles in Broad City and Spider-Man: Homecoming. He also works as a writer, producer, musician, and venue owner, and he began performing comedy in 2002 while attending Southern Illinois University.

Hannibal – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
HT Boys 0 #34 1 903
AZ Boys 0 #131 1 1,400
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
Sweden Boys 2020 #176 2 1,548
MT Boys 0 #179 1 4,064
DK 0 #205 2 5,198
LU Boys 0 #218 3 4,970
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
AO Boys 0 #249 1 5,568
TW Boys 0 #253 4 7,111
DK Boys 0 #304 22 7,401
SA 0 #310 3 10,560
CN Boys 0 #329 3 9,639
PE 0 #329 1 6,350
PL Boys 0 #339 2 6,459
BR 0 #360 1 5,969
GH Boys 0 #361 1 8,138
PT Boys 0 #381 1 7,951
France Boys 2021 #384 4 2,865
JO Boys 0 #388 2 7,057
YE 0 #397 2 8,639
PH Boys 0 #406 3 11,440
EG 0 #411 2 6,387
UY Boys 0 #413 1 5,922
MX 0 #444 2 8,339
SD Boys 0 #465 2 10,523
ZA 0 #474 1 14,421
AR Boys 0 #478 6 7,628
GT Boys 0 #491 9 7,625
LY 0 #492 44 12,703
PA Boys 0 #504 2 9,305
CR Boys 0 #506 5 10,188
CO 0 #509 2 7,768
PA Girls 0 #518 1 9,861
RU Boys 0 #521 6 12,621
HK Boys 0 #554 4 12,905
PS Boys 0 #560 2 10,655
IR Boys 0 #564 2 10,162
CM Boys 0 #571 5 12,054
BH 0 #587 1 17,937
AE Girls 0 #597 1 20,968
BD Boys 0 #605 1 10,045
BO Boys 0 #615 8 9,244
IL Boys 0 #625 1 10,983
CL Boys 0 #650 16 13,390
LB 0 #689 2 13,263
TN 0 #690 140 13,765
IQ Boys 0 #694 4 13,071
SG Boys 0 #733 7 17,960
QA Boys 0 #743 1 18,093
SY 0 #760 8 11,684
BR Boys 0 #785 1 12,213
KW Boys 0 #806 1 18,755
NG Girls 0 #826 1 15,093
PE Boys 0 #859 20 14,506
EG Boys 0 #875 12 15,035
United States Boys 2024 #884 9 7,044
CO Boys 0 #902 19 15,656
Spain Boys 0 #913 18 5,610
OM Boys 0 #917 2 17,948
Germany Boys 0 #931 22 5,697
MX Boys 0 #939 44 16,355
NL Boys 0 #942 10 5,873
NG Boys 0 #998 4 16,906
SA Girls 0 #1,014 1 25,931
IN Boys 0 #1,039 1 16,750
MA 0 #1,113 16 20,986
AE Boys 0 #1,141 3 22,615
DZ 0 #1,155 22 20,130
MY Boys 0 #1,179 4 25,439
TR 0 #1,249 6 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,267 1 17,781
ZA Boys 0 #1,270 3 25,619
IT Boys 0 #1,435 37 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,600 15 28,008

Hannibal is popular in 62 countries — most recent births per country:

United States
France
Sweden
AE
AO

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People also ask about Hannibal

Hannibal is predominantly a boy's name.
Hannibal is a 3 syllable name, pronounced /ˈhænɪbəl/ (HAN-i-bəl).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Hanniba'al, Hannibaʿal and Hannibaal.
Across languages, Hannibal has these equivalents: Aníbal (Spanish/Portuguese), Annibale (Italian), Annibal (French), Hannibal (English).
Yes — Hannibal ranked #176 in Sweden in 2020, and appears in official birth registries across 3 countries.
Hannibal ranks highest in Sweden (#176 in 2020).
Hannibal's popularity is declining. It moved from #875 in 2014 to #884 in 2024 in United States.
Yes — 3 notable people named Hannibal are in our database, including Hannibal (Politician), Hannibal Hamlin (Politician), Hannibal Buress (Actor).