Susan Girl

Popularity: #727 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SOO-zan //ˈsuː.zən//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: lily; English: a variant of Susanna

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Susan has its roots in the Hebrew name Shoshannah, which means "lily" or "rose." This name was adopted into Greek as Sousanna and later into Latin as Susanna. The transition into Old French occurred during the medieval period, where it became Susanne, before finally entering the English language as Susan in the late Middle Ages.

The name's floral connotation has contributed to its enduring appeal, symbolizing beauty and purity. Historically, the name Susan is notably associated with biblical texts, particularly in the Book of Daniel, where Susanna is a virtuous woman who is wrongfully accused.

This story has been a significant part of Jewish and Christian traditions, often highlighted in religious teachings and art. The name gained further prominence in the Christian context through various saints named Susanna, particularly in the early centuries of the church, which helped solidify its place in Christian nomenclature.

Culturally, Susan has been embraced in various literary and artistic works, reinforcing its significance across different eras. The name has been used in notable literature, including works from the Renaissance to modern times, often embodying themes of virtue and resilience.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Sue and Suzy have emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and affection in familial and social contexts. Overall, Susan's historical and cultural resonance is deeply rooted in its etymological origins and the narratives that have surrounded it through centuries.

Famous people named Susan

In this section, you will find notable people named Susan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Susan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Susan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Susan Sarandon is an actress best known for Thelma & Louise, Dead Man Walking, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Susan Boyle is a singer best known for her appearance on Britain's Got Talent and her debut album I Dreamed a Dream.

Susan Collins is a journalist best known for her work with NPR and as a correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

Susan B. Anthony was a social reformer best known for her role in the women's suffrage movement.

Susan Lucci is an actress best known for her role on All My Children and her appearances on various talk shows.

Susan Rice is a diplomat best known for her role as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and National Security Advisor.

Susan Orlean is a journalist and author best known for The Orchid Thief and Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend.

Fictional characters named Susan

The following list of fictional characters named Susan is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Susan Pevensie is a fictional character from the book series The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. She is one of the four Pevensie siblings who help to defeat the White Witch and restore peace to Narnia.

Susan Storm is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a founding member of the Fantastic Four and possesses the ability to become invisible and create force fields.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Susan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Susan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Susan was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Susan has ranked as high as #12 nationally, which occurred in 1955, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Susan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Susan is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Susan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Susan.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 222 0 222
2024 216 0 216
2023 223 0 223
2022 212 0 212
2021 226 0 226
2020 262 0 262
2019 245 0 245
2018 235 0 235
2017 281 5 276
2016 306 0 306
2015 301 0 301
2014 332 5 327
2013 319 0 319
2012 329 0 329
2011 357 0 357
2010 356 0 356
2009 380 0 380
2008 432 0 432
2007 468 0 468
2006 497 0 497
2005 487 0 487
2004 543 7 536
2003 576 0 576
2002 615 0 615
2001 639 0 639
2000 693 0 693
1999 707 0 707
1998 758 0 758
1997 807 0 807
1996 963 0 963
1995 894 0 894
1994 1,025 0 1,025
1993 1,208 8 1,200
1992 1,380 7 1,373
1991 1,479 0 1,479
1990 1,700 13 1,687
1989 1,815 15 1,800
1988 2,076 16 2,060
1987 2,258 11 2,247
1986 2,406 17 2,389
1985 2,679 18 2,661
1984 3,131 15 3,116
1983 3,372 14 3,358
1982 3,987 17 3,970
1981 4,259 15 4,244
1980 4,723 19 4,704
1979 5,219 23 5,196
1978 5,439 21 5,418
1977 5,980 19 5,961
1976 6,421 19 6,402
1975 7,520 32 7,488
1974 8,506 36 8,470
1973 9,310 31 9,279
1972 10,618 44 10,574
1971 13,827 45 13,782
1970 15,790 52 15,738
1969 17,856 50 17,806
1968 19,560 57 19,503
1967 22,326 64 22,262
1966 23,843 67 23,776
1965 26,374 53 26,321
1964 31,599 84 31,515
1963 34,071 80 33,991
1962 35,838 86 35,752
1961 37,619 87 37,532
1960 39,289 81 39,208
1959 41,704 87 41,617
1958 45,262 87 45,175
1957 46,051 97 45,954
1956 46,625 67 46,558
1955 47,483 65 47,418
1954 47,228 66 47,162
1953 44,367 70 44,297
1952 41,403 55 41,348
1951 40,272 44 40,228
1950 38,074 57 38,017
1949 37,761 52 37,709
1948 36,044 56 35,988
1947 32,016 64 31,952
1946 28,326 59 28,267
1945 19,277 55 19,222
1944 16,385 55 16,330
1943 14,938 50 14,888
1942 12,069 54 12,015
1941 8,928 39 8,889
1940 6,783 27 6,756
1939 4,907 20 4,887
1938 3,571 16 3,555
1937 2,651 10 2,641
1936 2,165 12 2,153
1935 1,806 5 1,801
1934 1,501 9 1,492
1933 1,269 5 1,264
1932 1,236 9 1,227
1931 1,005 0 1,005
1930 1,003 0 1,003
1929 874 0 874
1928 812 0 812
1927 874 6 868
1926 858 0 858
1925 862 0 862
1924 832 0 832
1923 811 0 811
1922 795 0 795
1921 846 0 846
1920 850 0 850
1919 824 0 824
1918 912 0 912
1917 837 0 837
1916 844 0 844
1915 822 5 817
1914 661 0 661
1913 543 0 543
1912 522 0 522
1911 459 0 459
1910 395 0 395
1909 380 0 380
1908 350 0 350
1907 355 0 355
1906 326 0 326
1905 320 0 320
1904 324 0 324
1903 305 0 305
1902 335 0 335
1901 342 0 342
1900 410 0 410
1899 350 0 350
1898 382 0 382
1897 346 5 341
1896 343 0 343
1895 393 0 393
1894 357 0 357
1893 356 0 356
1892 366 0 366
1891 370 0 370
1890 354 0 354
1889 356 0 356
1888 363 0 363
1887 335 0 335
1886 323 0 323
1885 302 0 302
1884 326 0 326
1883 322 0 322
1882 326 0 326
1881 292 0 292
1880 286 0 286

Top States for Susan (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
PA 30
19%
NY 16
10%
OH 16
10%
TX 15
10%
CA 12
8%
IN 11
7%
MD 9
6%
MN 7
5%
MI 6
4%
CO 6
4%
FL 6
4%
TN 6
4%
VA 5
3%
NC 5
3%
UT 5
3%