"lily, graceful lily"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Susannah
Pronunciation: [ s-oos-AN-uh ]
Girl Name
#2,715 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A timeless Hebrew lily with American frontier soul
Hebrew
English
American
Christian
Vintage
Elegant
Literary
Classic
Gentle
Meaning & Origin
"rose or lily flower"
Origin: Hebrew Shoshana
Language: Hebrew
The Story of Susannah
Susannah comes from the Hebrew Shoshana, meaning lily or rose (scholars debate which flower). The name appears in the apocryphal Book of Susanna, where Susannah is a virtuous woman falsely accused and saved by the young Daniel. It was popularized across the Christian world through this story and through the New Testament mention of a Susanna who followed Jesus. The full four-syllable form Susannah has a melodic, old-world elegance.
Susannah has never been a mass-market name but maintains devoted fans across generations. It appeared frequently in American colonial and frontier naming, immortalized in the 1848 song 'Oh! Susanna' by Stephen Foster, which became the anthem of the California Gold Rush. It is experiencing a gentle comeback among parents seeking vintage formal names.
Oh! Susanna by Stephen Foster (1848) is one of the most famous American folk songs, making Susannah a name deeply embedded in American musical heritage. The biblical Susanna story is one of the earliest detective narratives in Western literature.
Fun Facts
- Oh! Susanna by Stephen Foster became the unofficial anthem of the 1849 California Gold Rush
- The Hebrew word shoshana is the origin of both Susannah and Susan
- The story of Susanna in the apocrypha is considered one of the first detective stories in Western literature
Susannah in Other Languages
French
Suzanne
German
Susanna
Hebrew
שׁוֹשַׁנָּה
Italian
Susanna
Russian
Сусанна
Spanish
Susana
Famous People Named Susannah
S
Susannah Wesley
Religious
1669
Mother of John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism, renowned for raising 19 children and her profound religious in...
Mother of John and Charles Wesley, founders of Methodism, renowned for raising 19 children and her profound religious influence
S
Susannah (Apocrypha)
Religious
Virtuous Jewish heroine of the deuterocanonical Book of Susanna, falsely accused of adultery and saved by the prophet Da...
Virtuous Jewish heroine of the deuterocanonical Book of Susanna, falsely accused of adultery and saved by the prophet Daniel
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,715
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English American Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Susie
Suse
Hannah
Suze
Annie
Pairs Well With
Susannah Grace
Susannah Mae
Susannah Jane
Susannah Claire
Susannah Rose
Susannah Elise
Susannah Wren
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Susannah
What does the name Susannah mean?
"lily, graceful lily" (from Hebrew). "rose or lily flower" (from Hebrew Shoshana). Susannah comes from the Hebrew Shoshana, meaning lily or rose (scholars debate which flower). The name appears in the apocryphal Book of Susanna, where Susannah is a virtuous woman falsely accused and saved by the young Daniel. It was popularized across the Christian world through this story and through the New Testament mention of a Susanna who followed Jesus. The full four-syllable form Susannah has a melodic, old-world elegance.
What is the origin of the name Susannah?
Susannah has Hebrew, Hebrew Shoshana, English, American, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "lily, graceful lily". In Hebrew Shoshana, it means "rose or lily flower".
Is Susannah a boy or girl name?
Susannah is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Susannah?
Susannah is pronounced s-oos-AN-uh.
How popular is the name Susannah?
Susannah is currently ranked #2715 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Susannah?
Common nicknames for Susannah include Susie, Suse, Hannah, Suze, and Annie.
What are good middle names for Susannah?
Popular middle name pairings include Susannah Grace, Susannah Mae, Susannah Jane, Susannah Claire, Susannah Rose, Susannah Elise, and Susannah Wren.
What are good sibling names for Susannah?
Names that pair well with Susannah as siblings include Josephine, Harriet, Eliza, Nathaniel, Solomon, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Susannah have?
Susannah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Susannah a common or rare name?
Susannah is an uncommon name, ranked #2715 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Susannah
Susannah is a girl name with Hebrew, English, American, and Christian origins . The name means "lily, graceful lily" in Hebrew .
Susannah is currently ranked #2,715 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Susannah has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-oos-AN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Susannah include Susie, Suse, Hannah, Suze, and Annie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Susannah include Susan, Susanna, Susana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.