אֶלְחָנָן

Elchanan

boyHebrewJewish

Elchanan is a Jewish boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God is gracious”.

MeaningGod is gracious
GenderBoy
OriginHebrew
Written asאֶלְחָנָן
Pronunciationel-khah-NAHN
TraditionJewish
Used inIsrael, United States

Meaning and origin of Elchanan

Elchanan joins El, 'God', with chanan, 'he was gracious', making it a close relative of names like Yochanan (John) and Chanan. In 2 Samuel 21:19 and 1 Chronicles 20:5 Elhanan is a warrior of David's who kills a Philistine giant. The name is used today mainly in religious Jewish families, often shortened to Chanan or Elchi.

Is Elchanan a Jewish name?

Elchanan is a biblical Jewish name. Its meaning closely parallels Yochanan, from which the name John derives.

How popular is Elchanan?

Found mostly in Orthodox Jewish communities.

Gifts with the name Elchanan

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.

Spellings and variants of Elchanan

ElhananElkhononChanan

Names similar to Elchanan

More Jewish boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Elchanan mean?

Elchanan means 'God is gracious'. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Elchanan a Jewish name?

Elchanan is a biblical Jewish name. Its meaning closely parallels Yochanan, from which the name John derives.

How do you pronounce Elchanan?

Elchanan is pronounced el-khah-NAHN.

Is Elchanan a boy or girl name?

Elchanan is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.