The Greek name Ananias (G367) is the New Testament form of the Hebrew Hananyah (H2608), meaning "Yahweh has been gracious" or "whom Yahweh has gifted." Three different men named Ananias appear in Acts: the husband of Sapphira (Acts 5), the disciple who restored Paul's sight (Acts 9), and the high priest (Acts 23).
The name's irony is most stark with the first Ananias (Acts 5), whose name means "grace of God" but who died for withholding what he had pledged to God.
The three Ananiases of Acts represent the full spectrum of human response to divine grace. The first (Acts 5) received grace but hoarded it and lied — judgment followed. The second (Acts 9) was a fearful disciple who nevertheless obeyed the Lord's dangerous command to restore Paul's sight — becoming one of the most consequential people in church history. The third (Acts 23) was the corrupt high priest who struck Paul and was rebuked.
Each Ananias shows that bearing a gracious name ("Yahweh has been gracious") is no guarantee of gracious character. The name must become a living reality through obedient faith.