Meaning: Its source is Channah, a Hebrew name meaning "Favored grace."

Popularity: The name Nanci ranked 1526th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: In the Jewish scriptures, Channah, wife of Elkanah, was barren. At the temple near Shiloh, she asked God to bless her with a child, promising to dedicate her baby to His service.

Her prayer was answered, and her son Samuel was ''lent to the Lord'' for all the days of his life. Indeed, he grew up to be one of Israel's most revered prophets.

With this story in mind, some authorites translate this name as a full sentence: ''God has graced me with a son.''