Suzanna
Meanings & Origins
"lily"
"rose"
Popularity
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“A biblical lily name with centuries of grace”
Origin & Etymology
Suzanna is a variant of Susanna, derived from the Hebrew name Shoshannah meaning lily or rose. The name appears in the biblical Book of Daniel, where Susanna is an innocent woman falsely accused and saved by the prophet Daniel. It also appears in the New Testament as a follower of Jesus. The name traveled through Greek (Sousanna) and Latin (Susanna) into English.
Popularity Story
Suzanna and Susanna have been staples of English naming for centuries, popular throughout the Middle Ages and Victorian era. The folk song Oh! Susanna by Stephen Foster (1848) cemented the name in American musical heritage.
Cultural Significance
In Christian tradition, Saint Susanna is venerated as a martyr. The story of Susanna and the Elders from the Book of Daniel has been a major subject in Western art, depicted by Rembrandt, Artemisia Gentileschi, and others. Oh! Susanna became an anthem of the Gold Rush era.
Fun Facts
- The folk song Oh! Susanna by Stephen Foster (1848) became an anthem of the California Gold Rush
- Susanna and the Elders is one of the most painted biblical scenes in Western art history
- The Hebrew word shoshan meaning lily is also the root of the name Susan and the flower shoshana in modern Hebrew