"lily"
Suzanna
Pronunciation: [ s-ooz-AN-uh ]
A biblical lily name with centuries of grace
Meaning & Origin
"rose"
The Story of Suzanna
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.
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.
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
Suzanna in Other Languages
Famous People Named Suzanna
Suzanna Hamilton
Actor
1960
British actress known for her role as Julia in the 1984 film adaptation of George Orwell Nineteen Eighty-Four
Susanna Hoffs
Musician
1959
American singer and guitarist, co-founder of The Bangles, known for Walk Like an Egyptian
Susanna (biblical figure)
Religious
Biblical woman from the Book of Daniel, falsely accused but proven innocent — a symbol of virtue and justice
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,837
- Total SSA Count
- 59
- Cultural Origins
- English American European Christian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Suzanna
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About the Name Suzanna
Suzanna is a girl name with English, American, European, and Christian origins . The name means "lily" in Hebrew .
Suzanna is currently ranked #2,837 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Suzanna has 3 syllables and is pronounced s-ooz-AN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Suzanna include Suzie, Suzy, Sue, Zanna, and Anna. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Suzanna include Suzanne . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.