A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Ἀννίβας). Many persons of this name occur in the history of Carthage, whom it is not always easy to distinguish from one another, on account of the absence of family names, and even of patronymics, among the Carthaginians. The name itself signifies, according to Gesenius (Ling. Phoen. Monum. p. 407), "the grace or favour of Baal; " the final syllable bal, of such common occurrence in Punic names, always having reference to this tutelary deity of the Phoenicians.