Meaning, origin, history
Elhanan is a Hebrew name that means "Mercy has favored." It is derived from the Hebrew words "El" meaning God, and "Hanani" meaning favored or gracious.
The name Elhanan appears in the Bible in two instances. The first is in 2 Chronicles 17:8, where it is mentioned as the name of a Levite who was one of King Hezekiah's chief assistants. The second instance is in 1 Chronicles 20:5-8, where Elhanan, son of Jair, is described as killing Goliath the Gittite. This story is significant because it provides an alternative version to the more well-known account of David slaying Goliath.
The name Elhanan has been used throughout history and continues to be popular among Jewish families today. It was also used by American poet Ezra Pound in his epic work "The Cantos," where he references Elhanan as a symbol of divine mercy.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Elhanan since 1880
Total births
17
Total since 1880
Peak year
2018
7 births
in 2023
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years