Susanna (given name)

Suzanna
17th century print depicting Susanna and Jehoiakim
GenderFemale
Origin
Meaninglily, anemone, true beauty
Other names
Alternative spellingSusannah, Suzannah, Susana, Suzana, Suzanna
Related namesSusan, Suzanne, Zsuzsanna, Snežana

Susanna or Suzanna is a feminine first name, of Egyptian and Persian origin. It is the name of women in the Biblical books of Daniel and Luke. It is often spelled Susannah, although Susanna is the original spelling.[citation needed] It is derived from the Egyptian shoshen, meaning "Iris flower".

Arabic سوسن (Sausan) meaning "iris". Persian سوسن (Susan) is the Persian spelling of this name and the Armenian "Susan", Shushan-Սուսան (Սուսաննա)= Շուշան (Շուշաննա, Շուշանիկ) also means iris. The spelling Susanna is used in Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland, as well as in the English-speaking world. The spelling Zuzana is used in Czech Republic and Slovakia and spelling Zsuzsanna in Hungary. In Poland it is Zuzanna. Even though very uncommon, it is also spelled Susana in Spain and Portugal, where it is more common.

The Hebrew form Shoshana is still commonly used by Jewish people in the diaspora and in contemporary Israel, often shortened to "Shosh" or "Shoshi".