Hanna or Chana is also the name of another woman found in the Talmud[2]. The narrative is commonly referred to as “Chana and her seven sons”. In 165 BCE, King Antiochos demanded that Chana’s seven sons bow down to him, and proclaim him as God[3]. Each of the sons refused to bow down to His Highness, and they were each executed in front of their mother Chana, one by one. When Chana’s last son was executed, the pain was unbearable, and she committed suicide. She is remembered with high regard for her religious stead-fastness, teaching her sons to keep to their faith, even if it means execution.
Chana is a commonly used name in today’s Jewish traditional culture, as remembrance of the women illustrated in the Bible. Children born with the name Chana are usually nicknamed “Chanie”, as it is a child-friendly pronunciation[4], while keeping the root[5] of the name “Chana” intact.
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