2 syllables: Han, nah. Stress on Han.
HAN-uh
/ˈhænə/
Hannah is pronounced HAN-uh (/ˈhænə/). It has two syllables (Han-nah), with the stress on "Han". Hannah is a female given name; used as a noun when referring to a person named Hannah. It is derived from Hebrew and commonly appears in English-speaking contexts. The name is typically pronounced with two equal syllables and a short, crisp final consonant, emphasizing the first syllable, which lends a light, melodic feel in everyday speech.
nounHannah is a female given name; used as a noun when referring to a person named Hannah. It is derived from Hebrew and commonly appears in English-speaking contexts. The name is typically pronounced with two equal syllables and a short, crisp final consonant, emphasizing the first syllable, which lends a light, melodic feel in everyday speech.
How to Pronounce Hannah
"Hannah won the scholarship after months of preparation."
"I ran into Hannah at the coffee shop this morning."
"Hannah asked for a minute to think before answering."
Pronounce as /ˈhæn.ə/ in US/UK/AU. The first syllable has a short ‘a’ as in cat, with the jaw open moderately; the second syllable is a reduced schwa /ə/. The stress is on the first syllable: HAN-nuh. Tip: keep the final vowel light and short to avoid turning it into ‘Hannahh’ or elongating it. Reference audio: standard pronunciations on Cambridge/Oxford dictionaries show /ˈhæn.ə/ with a crisp, quick second syllable.
Common mistakes include over-emphasizing the second syllable or converting the second syllable into a full vowel, producing /ˈhænˈɑː/ or /ˈhɑː.nə/. Another mistake is to merge the two syllables too closely, sounding like /ˈhænə/ or /ˈhænə/. Correction: keep the second syllable as a short schwa /ə/ and deliver both syllables evenly, with stress on the first: /ˈhæn.ə/. Practice by saying ‘HAN-uh’ in a clipped, two-beat pattern, not ‘Hannahhh’ extended.”,
In all three accents the core is /ˈhæn.ə/. US tends to rhoticity with a slightly darker /æ/ and a crisp schwa; UK often uses a lighter /æ/ and very clear final /ə/. Australian standard is similar to US but with more centralized /ə/ and faster delivery. The vowel in the first syllable remains short /æ/; the second syllable remains a reduced /ə/. Accent-specific variation is subtle, keep the two-syllable pattern while adjusting vowel quality and vowel duration per region.
The challenge lies in the short, lax vowel /æ/ followed by a quick, unstressed schwa /ə/. Speakers may over-articulate the second syllable or mispronounce the final vowel as /ɪ/ or /ɑː/. Focus on keeping the first syllable strong and the second syllable light. Use a clean, short /ə/ and avoid adding a consonant at the end; aim for HAN-uh with a clear, clipped final vowel.
No. In standard English, the second syllable is pronounced as a reduced vowel /ə/ and should be audible as a distinct syllable, though it is short. Some very rapid speech may compress it toward the limit of perception, but you should consistently produce the /ə/ and keep the two-syllable rhythm: HAN-uh. Paying attention to the schwa helps avoid flattening the name into a single syllable.
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Hannah is the English form of the Hebrew name Channah or Chanah, meaning ‘favor’ or ‘grace.’ The root חָנָה (channah) conveys the idea of graciousness or favor. The name appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as Hannah, the mother of Samuel, whose story highlights prayer and gratitude. Through Greek and Latin translations, Channah became Hannah in Latinized texts, and later entered English usage in the Middle Ages. Its popularity surged in the 18th and 19th centuries in English-speaking countries, partly due to Biblical influence and later through its simple, bi-syllabic, melodic cadence. The name has remained common in many cultures, often kept with variations in pronunciation by region, but the core meaning—grace or favor—persists across languages.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Hannah" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Hannah" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Hannah" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Hannah"
-nna sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
