Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Susan
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “lily”
- Meaning
- lily
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- SOO-zuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,091
- US babies 2025
- 222
- Best rank
- #2 (1957)
- Peak year
- 1955
Meaning and origin of Susan
Susan is an English and Hebrew name that means “lily”.
Susan is the English short form of Susanna, from the Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning lily, a word that in modern Hebrew also means rose. In the Book of Daniel, Susanna is a virtuous woman falsely accused and then vindicated. Susan became extremely popular in English-speaking countries in the mid twentieth century, and it is borne by figures such as the suffragist Susan B. Anthony. Today it has a familiar, dependable feel, with nicknames including Sue, Susie and Suzy. Susanna and Susannah offer longer, more vintage options with the same roots.
Popularity over time
Susan has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 139 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1957, and the most babies received it in 1955, when 47,418 were named Susan. In 2025, 222 babies were named Susan, and it ranked #1,091 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #225 in 1920, #5 in 1950, #62 in 1980, #409 in 2000, #772 in 2010, and #1,091 in 2025. Of the 1,123,481 US girls named Susan since records began, 39% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 287,666 babies. Since 2010, 4,412 more have been named Susan.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Debra, Deborah, Pamela, Diane, and Janet.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Susan ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #426 | 26 |
| Ohio | #559 | 19 |
| Wisconsin | #603 | 8 |
| Iowa | #669 | 5 |
| Colorado | #697 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Susan is usually pronounced SOO-zuhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Susan
A few middle names that flow with Susan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Susan
Similar names
Suzan Girl
SOO-zuhn
“variant of Susan, lily” · English
rare
Dana Girl
DAY-nuh
“uncertain; several possible origins” · English
#1,027
Sally Girl
SA-lee
“princess” · English
#1,158
Betty Girl
BEH-tee
“short for Elizabeth; my God is an oath” · English
#1,113
Janice Girl
JA-nihs
“elaboration of Jane; God is gracious” · English
#2,522
Janie Girl
JAY-nee
“pet form of Jane; God is gracious” · English
#1,329
Betsy Girl
BET-see
“my God is an oath (via Elizabeth)” · English
#2,724
Judy Girl
JOO-dee
“short for Judith, woman of Judea” · Hebrew
#1,874
Liza Girl
LY-zuh
“short form of Elizabeth; God is my oath” · English
#1,648
Siobhan Girl
shih-VAWN
“Irish form of Joan, God is gracious” · Irish
#2,096
Tammy Girl
TAM-ee
“pet form of Tamara or Tamsin” · English
#3,703
Hanan Girl
hah-NAHN
“mercy (Arabic); grace (Hebrew)” · Arabic
#2,911
Lists that include Susan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Susan mean?
Susan is an English and Hebrew name that means “lily”.
What is the origin of the name Susan?
Susan has English and Hebrew roots. Susan is the English short form of Susanna, from the Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning lily, a word that in modern Hebrew also means rose.
Is Susan a popular name?
Not especially. Susan ranked #1,091 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Susan a boy or girl name?
Susan is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Susan?
Susan is usually pronounced SOO-zuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings