Girl name
Handan name meaning
“laughing; smiling with joy”
Handan means laughing or smiling with joy. It comes from Persian khandān, a form derived from the verb meaning to laugh. In Türkiye, it is a girl’s name. Halide Edib Adıvar’s novel Handan offers a concrete literary association with this name and its expressive meaning.
What does Handan mean?
Laughing; smiling with joy
In Turkish: gülen; sevinçle gülümseyen
Handan expresses laughter and the joy visible in a smiling face. In Ottoman poetry, the adjective appears alongside images of roses and the beloved's face. Halide Edib Adıvar's novel Handan gives the name a distinct literary association. Hande belongs to the same Persian word family.
Origin of the name Handan
It comes from Persian khandān, 'laughing' or 'smiling,' a participial form of the verb meaning 'to laugh.'
Double names with Handan
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Handan Nurefşan
Meaning of each name
- Handan: laughing; smiling with joy
- Nurefşan: radiating light, spreading brightness
-
Nurgül Handan
Meaning of each name
- Nurgül: a radiant rose; a rose of light
- Handan: laughing; smiling with joy
-
Handan Şen
Meaning of each name
- Handan: laughing; smiling with joy
- Şen: cheerful; full of joy and vitality
-
Tuvana Handan
Meaning of each name
- Tuvana: strong, vigorous and capable
- Handan: laughing; smiling with joy
-
Handan Çağla
Meaning of each name
- Handan: laughing; smiling with joy
- Çağla: the fresh, edible immature fruit of almonds and similar trees
-
Yasmin Handan
Meaning of each name
- Yasmin: jasmine flower
- Handan: laughing; smiling with joy
How to pronounce Handan
| Syllables | 2 · 6 letters · 6-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /handan/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | خندان |
Is Handan a girl’s name?
Yes, Handan is used mostly as a girl’s name. In our data, 5% of bearers are male. See all girl names.
Handan does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 62 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Handan
Names with related meanings
- Aden♀Delight
- Büşra♀Glad tidings
- Tuğba♀Blessedness, happiness
- Serra♀Prosperity and well-being
- Hüma♀Mythical bird bringing fortune and happiness
- Cennet♀Paradise
- Hümanur♀Name evoking the huma bird and light
- Tuba♀Blessedness, happiness
- Neşe♀Joy, cheerfulness, heartfelt happiness
- Hande♀Laughter, a smile and cheerful expression
- Ruken♀Smiling-faced
- Mizgin♀Glad tidings
Famous people named Handan
- Handan İpekçi · b. 1956
- Handan Kurğa · b. 1993
- Handan Kara · b. 1939
- Handan Acar Yıldız · b. 1979
- Handan Adalı · b. 1922
- Handan Biroğlu · b. 1981
- Handan İnci · b. 1964
- Handan Dalay Kaftancı · b. 1912
- Handan Ertuğrul · b. 1927
- Handan Uslu · b. 1990
- Handan Acar
- Handan Ak
FAQ about the name Handan
What is the meaning of Handan?
Handan means “laughing; smiling with joy”. It comes from Persian khandān, 'laughing' or 'smiling,' a participial form of the verb meaning 'to laugh.'
Is Handan a girl’s name?
Yes, Handan is used mostly as a girl’s name. In our data, 5% of bearers are male.
Is Handan in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Handan nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Handan?
Handan is of Persian origin.
How many syllables does Handan have?
Handan has 2 syllables and 6 letters.
How popular is the name Handan?
Handan does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 62 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
What names go well with Handan?
Some ideas: Handan Nurefşan; Nurgül Handan; Handan Şen.
Famous people named Handan?
Notable people named Handan include Handan İpekçi, Handan Kurğa, Handan Kara.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm00873 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake