Susanna

Hebrew
"lily"

Susanna Origin and Meaning

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

Susanna is an old and under-appreciated name, perhaps because of the recent overpopularity of Susan, that is certainly due for a comeback.

The Susannah spelling is just as appropriate as Susanna. The two versions seem to have traded places over time as the dominant version. Neither spelling is in the Top 1000 at the moment, though we expect that will change over the next few years as more modern parents rediscover these beautiful Biblical names.

How is Susanna different from Susannah? The h-less version feels a bit more streamlined and modern, and might refer more directly to an ancestor named Ann or Anna. Susannah seems more old-school Biblical and more self-contained, while Susanna resembles a smoosh name: Sue + Anna. But Susanna and Susannah are pronounced the same and are equally beautiful.

A European short form of Susanna that's become popular: Sanna or Sanne.

# 986 in the US

Susanna Rank in US Top 1000

# 1132 on Nameberry

Susanna Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Susanna Popularity

Famous People Named Susanna

  • Susanna
    Biblical figure in the book of Daniel
  • Susanna Kaysen
    American memoirist
  • Susanna Lee Hoffs
    lead singer of American band The Bangles
  • Susanna Shakespeare Hall
    eldest daughter of William Shakespeare
  • Susanna Mary Clarke
    English fantasy novelist
  • Susanna Centlivre
    English playwright and poet
  • Susanna Thompson
    American actress
  • Susanna Gross
    English journalist and newspaper editor
  • Susanna Victoria Reid
    English TV journalist
  • Susanna Agnelli
    Contessa Rattazzi, first woman Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Susanna in Pop Culture

  • Susanna Thompson
    character in movie "The Way Way Back"
  • "Oh! Susanna
    " popular song by Stephen Foster