Susan
Susan Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈsuː.zən/
Meaning of Susan: Susan traces through Old French Susanne from Latin Susanna from Greek Sousanna from Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning "lily" - specifically the lily of the valley - or in some interpretations "rose." Ancient Hebrew texts use Shoshannah as a given name, attesting its pre-Christian origin in the Near East.
The deuterocanonical Book of Susanna contains the name’s most influential biblical appearance. Susanna, a virtuous woman falsely accused by corrupt elders, is vindicated by the young Daniel. The story entered the Septuagint, became part of the Catholic and Orthodox biblical canon, and gave the name moral authority across Christendom.
The US Social Security Administration records shows Susan peaked at rank 2 in 1957 and ranked 743 in 2024. It held the #1 or #2 position from 1945 to 1965 - a 20-year dominance that places it among the most prevalent names in mid-20th century American naming history.
What Does Susan Mean? Origin & Etymology
The subsequent decline from rank 2 to outside the top 500 by the 1980s represents one of the steepest generational fall-off patterns in SSA naming history. That trajectory mirrors the typical naming cycle of saturation and retreat, driven by the Baby Boom cohort aging out of prime child-naming years.
The short form Sue and the variant Susanna remain in active use. Notably, Susan carries strong associations with the 1970s feminist movement - Susan B. Anthony, Susan Sontag, and Susan Brownmiller were all prominent figures - giving the name an intellectual dimension alongside its mid-century suburban associations.
Numerology & Symbolism of Susan
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Susan – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Susan
What does the name Susan mean?
Susan means “lily” or “rose,” from Hebrew Shoshannah. The Hebrew root most directly translates as “lily,” specifically the lily of the valley. The name traveled from Hebrew through Greek, Latin, and Old French before becoming Susan in English.
How popular was Susan in the US?
Susan was rank 2 in the US in 1957 according to SSA data. It was among the top 5 names from 1945 to 1965, a remarkable 20-year dominance. In 2024, it ranked 743. The scale of its decline from peak to current rank is one of the most dramatic generational name drops in SSA history.
Is Susanna in the Bible?
Yes. Susanna appears in the deuterocanonical Book of Susanna (part of Daniel), included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but not in the Protestant canon. She is falsely accused of adultery by 2 elders and saved by the young Daniel’s interrogation. Her story made her a symbol of virtuous resistance to false accusation.
What are the variants of Susan?
Variants of Susan include Susanna, Susanne, Suzanne, Suzanna, Sue, and Suzy. Susannah (with an h) is the more biblical spelling. Suzanne is the French form. Susan was the dominant American simplification of all these forms, reaching its peak in the 1950s before giving way to the earlier Susanna form in some contemporary revival usage.