Hänsel is a German diminutive of the name Hans, which itself is a short form of Johannes. The name is pronounced /ˈhɛnzl̩/ and is classed as either masculine or neuter in German grammar.EtymologyAs a diminutive, Hänsel essentially means "little Hans." The suffix "-el" is a common German diminutive ending, similar to "-chen" or "-lein." The root name Hans has been a staple of German-speaking Europe, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia since the late Middle Ages, with notable bearers such as the painter Hans Holbein and the fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen.Cultural SignificanceHänsel is best known from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Hänsel und Gretel (first published in 1812). In the story, Hänsel and his sister Gretel are abandoned in the woods by their impoverished parents and stumble upon a candy house owned by a witch, whom they vanquish. The tale has made Hänsel a household name, though it is rarely given as a modern given name outside of traditional contexts.Related NamesFeminine forms derived from Johannes include Jana and Janina. Across other languages and cultures, variants of Johannes abound, such as Afrikaans Jannie, Albanian Gjon, Amharic Yohannes, Arabic Yahia, Turkish Yahya, and another Arabic form Yuhanna.Meaning: Diminutive of Hans (God is gracious)Origin: GermanicType: Diminutive, principally a first nameUsage Regions: Germany, German-speaking EuropeKey Fact: Famous from the fairy tale Hänsel und Gretel