Susannah

Hebrew

"lily"

Susannah Origin and Meaning

The name Susannah is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "lily".

Susannah is by far the most stylish form of the classic name now that Susan and Suzanne have retired. Susannah has biblical and musical pedigrees, is impervious to trends, and has an irresistible, flowing rhythm. It can be spelled just as properly with or without the final 'h.'

Susannah is one of the loveliest names that, surprisingly, is not in the Top 1000—and hasn't been since 1978—though we expect that to change as soon as the memory of too many older Susans and Susies fades.

Susannah and Susanna seem to have traded place over time as the dominant version. How do they differ? The h-less version feels a bit more streamlined and modern, and might refer more directly to an ancestor named Ann or Anna, while Susannah seems more old-school Biblical and self-contained.

In the Apocrypha, Susannah is the beautiful and devout wife of Joachim, falsely accused of unfaithfulness by the elders.

William Shakespeare named one of his daughters Susanna.

A European short form that's become popular is Sanna/Sanne. The Hebrew Shoshana has played a prominent role on the TV show Girls. Zuzu is an adorable It's a Wonderful Life nickname.

• 919 Nameberry 2021