Nancy

Often treated as a familiar form of Anne, so it’s commonly associated (indirectly) with the traditional Anne/Hannah idea of ‘grace’.

Nancy is a familiar, well-established feminine name in English-speaking contexts, with a long history of everyday use. It reads as straightforward and recognizable, and it has a gentle rhythm that makes it easy to say and easy to remember. From a naming-history standpoint, Nancy is commonly explained as a pet form linked to Anne in French usage that later became an independent given name in English. Because that lineage goes through Anne, many people also connect Nancy (indirectly) to the long-standing association of Anne/Hannah with the idea of ‘grace’, though sources vary on how directly they frame that link. Pronunciation is usually NAN-see, with two clear syllables and primary stress on the first. A practical tip is that spelling is very stable across contexts; if you want a slightly less common spelling while keeping the sound, you may occasionally see Nanci.

Etymology: Used in English as an independent given name; historically it’s commonly explained as a French pet form that became established in English usage.