"water"
Origin: Turkish
Language: Turkish
Su
Pronunciation: [ s-OO ]
Su is a girl name of Turkish origin meaning "water." Ranked #66,494 in the US, popular nicknames include Su.
One syllable, two continents, infinite elegance
Turkish
Chinese
Korean
Minimalist
Cross Cultural
Serene
Nature
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"revive, awaken"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Chinese
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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.
Famous People Named Su
S
Su Bingtian
Athlete
1989
Chinese sprinter, first Asian man to run the 100m in under 10 seconds
S
Su Shi
Writer
1037
Celebrated Song Dynasty poet and statesman, also known as Su Dongpo
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
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Distinctive pick, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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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
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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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 →Compare Su with...
Same Origin Names (Turkish)
Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Su
Playground Safety
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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 common nicknames for Su?
Common nicknames for Su include Su.
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.
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.
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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