Hana is an Arabic name meaning “happiness”, “bliss” or “contentment”, from the root h-n-ʾ, “to gladden”, which the Qur’an uses in “eat and drink in satisfaction” (52:19). The same spelling is a Japanese name meaning “flower” and a form of Hannah. In 2025 Hana rose 46 places to 144th among girls in England and Wales.
What does Hana mean?
In Arabic, hanāʾ means happiness, bliss and well-being. It comes from the root h-n-ʾ, which also gives the everyday blessing hanīʾan, “may it do you good”, said to someone eating or drinking. The Qur’an uses that word too: “Eat and drink in satisfaction” (hanīʾan, 52:19).
Hana is a name that crosses cultures, which many families love:
- Japanese: hana means “flower”.
- Hebrew: Hana is also a form of Hannah, “grace” or “favour”.
- Czech and Slovak: Hana is the local form of Hannah.
Muslim families should know that Hannah (Ḥannah) and Hana (Hanāʾ) are different names in Arabic. Islamic tradition gives the name Hannah to the mother of Maryam, called “the wife of Imran” in the Qur’an (3:35).
How do you pronounce Hana?
In the UK, say HAH-na. The Arabic name is closer to ha-NAA, with the stress on the long second syllable and a slight catch at the end.
How do you spell Hana? Spellings and variants
- Hana: the most common UK spelling.
- Hanaa and Hanaa’ (showing the long Arabic vowel), Hanna.
- Hannah: a related but different name, ranked 105th in 2025.
How popular is Hana in the UK?
Hana is one of the biggest risers among Muslim girls’ names: 341 girls were named Hana in England and Wales in 2025, up 46 places to 144th.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hana | 144 | 341 | up 46 places |
| Hannah | 105 | – | up 2 places |
A name with a happy meaning
Hana is not the name of a figure from the Qur’an or early Islam; families choose it for its meaning, its short and gentle sound, and the way it works in English, Arabic, Urdu and many other languages. A lovely dua to teach a child with this name is the Qur’anic prayer for families who bring joy: “Our Lord, grant us from our spouses and children comfort to our eyes” (25:74).
Our guide to Aqiqah gifts and Muslim baby gifts has ideas for welcoming a new baby, whatever her name.
Hana and the Hudhud book
In Hudhud, a girl called Hana is the little traveller herself, flying with a talking hoopoe through the stories of Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Muhammad (peace be upon them), with her name replacing the sample hero’s name, Yusuf. Read about the book.
What middle names go with Hana?
Hana is short, so it suits a longer middle name:
What are nicknames for Hana?
Hanu and Nana are used for little ones; most families keep Hana as it is.
What are good sibling names for Hana?
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does Hana mean in Islam?
Hana is an Arabic name meaning “happiness”, “bliss” or “contentment”, from the root h-n-ʾ. It is chosen for its meaning rather than for a figure from early Islam.
Is Hana in the Qur’an?
Not as a name, but its root is: the people of Paradise are told, “Eat and drink in satisfaction” (hanīʾan, 52:19; 69:24; 77:43). The same word is still used today as a blessing over food.
Is Hana the same as Hannah?
Not in Arabic. Hana (هناء) means “happiness”; Hannah (حنة) is a Hebrew name meaning “grace”, which Islamic tradition gives to the mother of Maryam.
How popular is Hana in the UK?
In 2025, 341 girls were named Hana in England and Wales, ranking it 144th, up 46 places (ONS). Hannah ranked 105th.
Is Hana a lucky or unique name?
Islam does not treat names as lucky (Sahih al-Bukhari 5776), though the Prophet liked good words, and “happiness” is one. Hana is fairly distinctive: about 1 in 835 girls born in England and Wales in 2025 (ONS).
How do you pronounce Hana?
In the UK, HAH-na. The Arabic name is closer to ha-NAA, stressing the long second syllable.
What are nicknames for Hana?
Hanu and Nana are used for little ones; most families keep Hana as it is.
What are good middle names for Hana?
Because Hana is short, longer middle names suit it: Hana Maryam, Hana Khadijah, Hana Fatima, Hana Zainab and Hana Aaliyah.