A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Susanna since 1880
Babies named Susanna per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Susanna's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 272 |
| 1890s | 410 |
| 1900s | 377 |
| 1910s | 781 |
| 1920s | 745 |
| 1930s | 604 |
| 1940s | 1,189 |
| 1950s | 1,862 |
| 1960s | 2,151 |
| 1970s | 2,466 |
| 1980s | 2,496 |
| 1990s | 2,053 |
| 2000s | 1,835 |
| 2010s | 1,736 |
| 2020s | 1,010 |
Meaning & origin
Susanna has been in use since at least 1880, the first year of U.S. Social Security data, when records began. Its peak popularity occurred in 1886, reflecting its strong historical roots. After a long decline, the name has been rising steadily since 2009, showing a revival of interest. It has been most popular in Kentucky, Alabama, and Ohio, indicating a regional appeal. The name's biblical associations and floral meaning contribute to its enduring charm.
Susanna derives from the Hebrew name Shoshannah, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' It appears in the Bible, notably in the Book of Daniel as a woman falsely accused of adultery, and in the New Testament as one of the women who ministered to Jesus. The name was common in medieval Europe and remains in use across many cultures.
Where Susanna is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Susanna” around the world
Where Susanna lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sue, Susie, Suze, Anna, Sanna
Sibling names for Susanna
Names that share Susanna's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Hannah, Elizabeth, Sarah, Martha, Rebecca, Tabitha, Louanna, Luanna, Magdalen, Tirzah, Jannett, Lizbet, Prescilla, Saloma, Betania, Bethania, Catharina, Dianah, Elisheba, Jacoba, Aneliese, Jemina, Magdelene, Suprina
Brothers: John, David, James, Samuel, Joseph, Hiram, Gamaliel, Jairus, Zacharias, Barnabas, Thaddaeus, Cleophas, Obediah, Jemuel, Philopateer, Shadrack
Names like Susanna
Names whose popularity has moved with Susanna's over the last 50 years.
