Boy Name · Punic Origin
Hannibal
Hannibal means “May the Lord (Baal) grace me”. It is a boy's name of Punic origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Considering Hannibal? It is a boy name whose meaning is "May the Lord (Baal) grace me", rooted in Punic naming tradition, and ranks in our Rare popularity tier. Phonetically it shares territory with Hampton.
Hannibal meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: May the Lord (Baal) grace me
Origin: Punic naming roots help connect Hannibal to related Punic baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Hannibal as H·A·N·N·I·B·A·L, with 8 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Hannibal is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Hannibal variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Hannibala, Hannibale, Hannibaly, Hanniba.
- Nicknames: Hann and H.
- Middle names: Pair Hannibal with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Hannibal middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Hampton, Humphrey, Hamp, Hershal, Humbert — full picks on the sibling names for Hannibal guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Hannibal? Browse our names like Hannibal guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Hannibal
What does the name Hannibal mean?
Hannibal means "May the Lord (Baal) grace me" and is of Punic origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Hannibal is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Hannibal?
Hannibal originates in Punic naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Hannibal?
Hannibal has 8 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Hannibal a boy's or girl's name?
Hannibal is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Hannibal in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Hannibal sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Hannibal?
Names that share Hannibal's sound and style include Hampton, Humphrey, Hamp, Hershal, Humbert.
What middle names pair well with Hannibal?
Good middle-name fits for Hannibal pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Hannibal is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Hannibal is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Hannibal?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Hannibal share its rhythm without rhyming — Hampton, Humphrey, Hamp all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.