Susan

שׁוֹשַׁנָּה

• Gender: Female
• Origin: Biblical English
• Meaning: lily

• Susan is the anglicized form of the Hebrew name Shoshana, meaning "lily," which makes its Jewish roots far deeper than most people realize. It was the quintessential mid-century American name — crisp, no-nonsense, and universally recognized — but after decades of feeling firmly parked in the mom-and-grandma category, its simple elegance is starting to sound fresh again. Like Alice and Margot before it, Susan has rested just long enough to become a sleeper hit.

  Get ready for a comeback story: this name is poised for the same kind of revival that brought Ruth and Pearl back into fashion. Its connection to Shoshana gives it genuine Hebrew roots that most people never think about. A lily hidden inside the most classic of American names — Susan is overdue for a second act.

• Alternate Spellings: Susanne, Suzanne
• Hebrew Equivalent:
  Shoshana
• Potential Sibling Name:
  Gabrielle
  ,
  Tobi
  ,
  Reuben
  ,
  Jesse
• Theme: nature