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 nickname from the classic Christmas fiilm, It's a Wonderful Life.

# 945 in the US

Susannah Rank in US Top 1000

# 968 on Nameberry

Susannah Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Susannah Popularity

Famous People Named Susannah

  • Susannah Spurgeon
    wife of C. H. Spurgeon
  • Susannah Edwards
    7th daughter of Jonathan Edwards theologian
  • Susannah Grant
    American screenwriter/director
  • Susannah Yolande York
    English actress
  • Susannah Melvoin
    American singer
  • Susannah McCorkle
    American jazz singer
  • Susannah Ansley Conroy
    daughter of American novelist Pat Conroy
  • Susannah F Constantine
    English fashion stylist and TV personality ("What Not to Wear")
  • Susannah Harker
    English actress
  • Susannah Maria Cibber
    English opera singer and actress
  • Susannah Sheldon
    accuser in the 1692 Salem witch trials

Susannah in Pop Culture

  • Susannah Fincannon
    Ludlow, character in movie "Legends of the Fall"
  • Susannah
    character in the Underland Chronicles series by Suzanne Collins
  • Susannah Joy
    little girl mentioned in "One Child" by Torey Hayden
  • Susannah Dean
    character in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King
  • "Susannah's Still Alive
    " song by The Kinks
  • "Susannah
    " opera by Carlisle Floyd
  • Susannah "Suze" Simon
    main character in the Mediator Series by Meg Cabot