"lily"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Susan
Pronunciation: [ s-OOZ-uhn ]
Does Susan flow with your last name?
A timeless classic that defined a generation
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Meaning & Origin
"rose, flower"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Susan
Susan derives from the Hebrew Shoshana, meaning lily or rose. The name traveled through Greek as Sousanna, then Latin as Susanna, before settling as Susan in English. It appears in the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders in the deuterocanonical Book of Daniel, which spread the name throughout Christendom during the early Christian era.
Susan was the number one most popular name in the United States in 1947 and 1948, riding the postwar baby boom. Approximately 900,000 American women were named Susan during the 1950s alone, making it a defining name of the baby boomer generation.
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), the pioneering suffragist, made this name synonymous with American women's rights. In literature, Susan Pevensie is one of the four children in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. The name's peak coincided with postwar American optimism.
Historical Record
Susan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 864,678 babies have been named Susan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Susan is past its peak , currently ranked #1,137 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Susan was the number one baby name in the US in 1947 and 1948
- Approximately 900,000 American women were named Susan during the 1950s alone
- The name appears in the biblical Book of Daniel as a virtuous woman falsely accused by corrupt elders
Susan in Other Languages
Arabic
Sawsan
French
Suzanne
German
Susanne
Russian
Susanna
Spanish
Susana
Popularity Over Time
#1,137
Current Rank
Peaked 1957
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Susan
S
Susan Sarandon
Actor
1946
Academy Award-winning American actress known for Thelma and Louise and Dead Man Walking
S
Susan B. Anthony
Activist
1820
American suffragist and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement and appeared on...
American suffragist and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement and appeared on the US dollar coin
S
Susan Pevensie Fictional
Other
One of the four Pevensie children in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, known as Susan the Gentle
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,137
- Total SSA Count
- 213
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Sue
Susie
Suze
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Susan
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Susan is also used as a boy name, ranked #28283.
View Susan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Susan
What does the name Susan mean?
"lily" (from Hebrew). "rose, flower" (from Hebrew). Susan derives from the Hebrew Shoshana, meaning lily or rose. The name traveled through Greek as Sousanna, then Latin as Susanna, before settling as Susan in English. It appears in the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders in the deuterocanonical Book of Daniel, which spread the name throughout Christendom during the early Christian era.
What is the origin of the name Susan?
Susan has Hebrew, English, American, and Australian origins. In Hebrew, it means "lily". In Hebrew, it means "rose, flower".
Is Susan a boy or girl name?
Susan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1137. As a boy name, it is ranked #28283. Susan is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Susan?
Susan is pronounced s-OOZ-uhn.
How popular is the name Susan?
Susan is currently ranked #1137 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Susan?
Common nicknames for Susan include Sue, Susie, and Suze.
What are good middle names for Susan?
Popular middle name pairings include Susan Marie, Susan Elizabeth, Susan Claire, Susan Ann, Susan Louise, Susan Jane, and Susan Kay.
What are good sibling names for Susan?
Names that pair well with Susan as siblings include Barbara, Linda, Patricia, Michael, David, Robert, and Margaret.
How many syllables does Susan have?
Susan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Susan a common or rare name?
Susan is an uncommon name, ranked #1137 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Susan?
About the Name Susan
Susan is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "lily" in Hebrew .
Is Susan a boy or girl name? Susan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,137 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,283. Susan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Susan is currently ranked #1,137 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Susan has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-OOZ-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Susan include Sue, Susie, and Suze. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Susan include Susanna, Susana, Susannah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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