Susan
Fact sheet
- Name
- Susan
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Susan, a female name, means "the lily." It is a shortened form of the biblical name Susanna, which has both Elamite and Hebrew or ancient Egyptian origins.
What does the name Susan mean?
The female first name Susan means "the lily." It represents a shortened English variant of the biblical name Susanna, which has either Elamite, Hebrew, or ancient Egyptian roots. With about 3.7 million bearers, Susan is one of the most common girl names worldwide. Particularly in the USA, the name has been established since the 18th century, while it can also be found in the Arabic-Persian region. A prominent bearer of the name was the American women's rights activist Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906). An alternative English spelling is Suzan. In the English-speaking world, variants of the Old Testament Susanna such as Susann, Susanne, and Suzanne are also common, as well as the diminutives Sue and Suzie. A Germanized form of Susan is Susen.
Where does the name Susan come from?
The name Susan is the English variant of Susanna, which traces back to the ancient Greek name Sousánnā, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Shoshannah. The latter comes from the Hebrew word ôan/ûan, which goes back to the ancient Egyptian word sn for "lotus" and was translated as "lily" in the Septuagint. Ancient Egyptian: sn = Lotus; Ancient Hebrew: ôan (שׁוֹשָׁן) / ûan (שׁוּשַׁן) = lily.
How do you pronounce Susan?
The name Susan has a clear, two-syllable sound. It is pronounced as "Su-san" [ˈzuːzan] and begins with a long 'u' sound that radiates calm and serenity. The voiced 's' gives the name a gentle, flowing quality. The repetition of the 's' sound creates a fine rhythmic framework. Overall, Susan conveys a simple, composed impression – soft in sound, yet determined in expression.
When is the name day of Susan?
The most significant name days for Susan are August 11 (Susanna of Rome) and December 19 (Susanna of Babylon).
Popularity
In Germany, Susan is among the popular first names. Currently, it ranks 2,723rd on the list of the most common female baby names. Its best ranking was achieved in 1957 at position 146. In the last ten years, Susan has been chosen as a first name about 180 times, placing it 1,743rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,545th. Worldwide, Susan is also widespread.
Nicknames & pet names
Ann / Annie / Sanne / Sanni / Sasu / Su / Sue / Suji / Sumse / Sunny / Sus / Susa / Susay / Suse / Susel / Susi / Susie / Susl / Susle / Susu / Susy
Similar first names
Famous people
- Susan Albers (singer (DSDS)
- Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906), American women's rights activist ("Napoleon of the women's movement")
- Susan Beth Pfeffer (American author)
- Susan Bones (character from "Harry Potter")
- Susan Catherine Reed (musician from America)
- Susan Crile (American artist)
- Susan Delfino (character from "Desperate Housewives")
- Susan Denberg (German actress)
- Susan Doran (British historian)
- Susan Douglas Rubes (actress from Austria)
- Susan Elderkin (British author)
- Susan Elizabeth Hill (British author)
- Susan Elizabeth Phillips (author from the USA)
- Susan Engberg (author from America)
- Susan G. Ernst (American biologist)
- Susan Glickman (author from Canada)
- Susan Hampton (Australian author)
- Susan Hoecke (actress)
- Susan J. Helms (American astronaut)
- Susan Jane "Sue" Helms (former American astronaut and USAF general)
Frequently asked questions about the name Susan
What does the name Susan mean?
The name Susan means 'the lily' and has its roots in the ancient Greek and Hebrew language.
What variants and nicknames are there for Susan?
Popular nicknames for Susan include Ann, Annie, Sanni, Su, Susi, and Sunny. The spelling Suzan is also a common variant.
How is the name Susan pronounced?
The name Susan is usually pronounced in German as 'Su-sann,' with the syllables evenly stressed.
In which countries is the name Susan common?
Susan is especially common in the USA and is also found in the Arabic-Persian region. The English variant has been established since the 18th century.