Hansel
Gender: Boy
Origin: German
Meaning: God is gracious
Popularity: Not in the U.S. top 1,000 names
Hansel Meaning and Origin
The name Hansel is a boy’s name meaning “God is gracious” and is of German origin. It is a diminutive form of the name “Hans,” which is itself a short form of “Johannes,” the German equivalent of the name “John.” The name Hansel has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in German-speaking regions.The name Hansel is generally interpreted to mean “God is gracious” or “Gift of God.” The root name “Johannes” is derived from the Hebrew name “Yochanan,” which combines “Yah” (an abbreviation of Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God) and “chanan” (meaning “to be gracious” or “to show favor”). Throughout history, Hansel has been a popular name in German-speaking countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It gained significant attention internationally due to its appearance in the classic German fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel,” collected by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. Variations of the name Hansel are not as common as the name itself. The most common variation is “Hans,” the longer form from which Hansel is derived. Other similar names with Germanic origins include “Hannes,” “Hanzel,” and “Hanschen.”
