Meaning & History
Suze is a Dutch diminutive of Suzanne, which itself is the French form of Susanna. The name Susanna ultimately derives from the Hebrew name שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (Shoshanna), meaning "lily" or, in modern Hebrew, "rose," possibly originating from the Egyptian word sšn for "lotus." In the Old Testament Apocrypha, Susanna is the name of a virtuous woman falsely accused of adultery, who is vindicated by the prophet Daniel. The story later became a popular theme in art and literature. In the New Testament, a woman named Susanna is mentioned among those who minister to Jesus.
As an English name, Susanna was used occasionally in the Middle Ages but became more widespread after the Protestant Reformation, often spelled Susan. The Dutch form Suze emerged as a familiar, affectionate variant, common in the Netherlands and among Dutch-speaking communities. While Suze is relatively rare as a formal given name, it has been used consistently as a nickname or diminutive.
Outside of personal names, Suze is also the name of a French liqueur brand, though with a different pronunciation.
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Suze