"water"
Origin: Turkish
Language: Turkish
Su
Pronunciation: [ s-OO ]
Does Su flow with your last name?
One syllable, two continents, infinite elegance
Turkish
Chinese
Korean
Minimalist
Cross Cultural
Serene
Nature
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Su
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Su
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"revive, awaken"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Su
See all →What the Su report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Su the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Su
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Su head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Su actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Su
Su is a beautifully simple name carrying deep meaning across cultures. In Turkish, 'su' directly means 'water,' making it a pure nature name in one of the world's oldest living language families. In Chinese, it can be written as 苏 (Sū) meaning 'revive' or 'awaken,' a name with poetic resonance. This one-syllable gem spans continents, worn equally by Turkish girls and Chinese families with effortless elegance.
Su has remained steadily used across Turkey and East Asia for generations, with cross-cultural appeal growing as minimalist, one-syllable names gain global favor.
In Turkish culture, water (su) is revered as sacred and life-giving, making Su a deeply meaningful nature name. In Chinese tradition, the Su family name has an ancient lineage tracing back thousands of years.
Historical Record
Su first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 587 babies have been named Su in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Su is past its peak , currently ranked #66,494 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Su is one of the shortest meaningful names in the world — a complete word in Turkish meaning 'water.'
- In Chinese, Su (苏) is one of the hundred family names listed in the Baijiaxing, a classic text from the Song Dynasty.
Su in Other Languages
Korean
수
Chinese
苏
Turkish
Su
Japanese
ス
Popularity Over Time
#66,494
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1957
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Conny
Girl
"steadfast, constant"
#66,612
Ethelrine
Girl
"noble and pure"
#66,482
Daune
Girl
"New beginning"
#66,611
Thaddeus
Girl
"heart, courageous heart"
#66,634
Aillene
Girl
"bright shining one; light"
#66,492
Compare Su with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #66,494
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- Turkish Chinese Korean
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Su
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Distinctive pick, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Chinese heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Distinctive pick, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Su
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Su
Phonetic neighbors that share Su's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Su fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Su is also used as a boy name, ranked #13086.
View Su as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Su →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Su with...
Same Origin Names (Turkish)
See all Turkish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Su
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Su and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Su sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Conny
Girl
Latin origin
"steadfast, constant"
#66,612 in US
Ethelrine
Girl
Old English origin
"noble and pure"
#66,482 in US
Daune
Girl
Middle English origin
"New beginning"
#66,611 in US
Thaddeus
Girl
Aramaic origin
"heart, courageous heart"
#66,634 in US
Aillene
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"bright shining one; light"
#66,492 in US
Corinthian
Girl
Latin origin
"belonging to the ornate Corinthian order"
#66,439 in US
Jonquil
Girl
English origin
"type of narcissus flower, pale yellow"
#66,535 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Su's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Su
What does the name Su mean?
"water" (from Turkish). "revive, awaken" (from Chinese). Su is a beautifully simple name carrying deep meaning across cultures. In Turkish, 'su' directly means 'water,' making it a pure nature name in one of the world's oldest living language families. In Chinese, it can be written as 苏 (Sū) meaning 'revive' or 'awaken,' a name with poetic resonance. This one-syllable gem spans continents, worn equally by Turkish girls and Chinese families with effortless elegance.
What is the origin of the name Su?
Su has Turkish, Chinese, and Korean origins. In Turkish, it means "water". In Chinese, it means "revive, awaken".
Is Su a boy or girl name?
Su is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #66494. As a boy name, it is ranked #13086. Su is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Su?
Su is pronounced s-OO.
How popular is the name Su?
Su is currently ranked #66494 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Su?
Popular middle name pairings include Su Lin, Su Mei, Su Yan, Su Ling, and Su Anne.
What are good sibling names for Su?
Names that pair well with Su as siblings include Jin, Lei, Bao, and Nur.
How many syllables does Su have?
Su has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Su a common or rare name?
Su is an uncommon name, ranked #66494 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Su?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Su
Su is a girl name with Turkish, Chinese, and Korean origins . The name means "water" in Turkish .
Is Su a boy or girl name? Su is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #66,494 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #13,086. Su is more commonly used as a boy name.
Su is currently ranked #66,494 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Su has 1 syllable and is pronounced s-OO, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Su include Su. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Su include Summer, Sutton, Sunny, Sunday, Sunnie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Turkish Names
Browse all names with this origin
S
Names Starting with S
More girl names like Su
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis