Meaning & History
Zanna is an English feminine name that originated as a short form of Suzanna, which itself is a variant of Susanna. The name Susanna comes from the Greek Σουσάννα (Sousanna), a rendering of the Hebrew name שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (Shoshanna). This Hebrew name is derived from the word שׁוֹשָׁן (shoshan), meaning "lily" (in modern Hebrew also "rose"), and is ultimately thought to come from the Egyptian sšn ("lotus").
Etymology and History
The name Susanna appears in the Old Testament Apocrypha as a woman falsely accused of adultery; her innocence is proven by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 13). In the New Testament, a woman named Susanna is mentioned among those who minister to Jesus (Luke 8:3). As an English name, Susanna was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, but it became widely popular only after the Protestant Reformation, often spelled as Susan. As a diminutive, Zanna emerged as a familiar and affectionate variant.
Bearers and Cultural Impact
Although not common as a standalone given name, Zanna gained some cultural recognition in Belgium through the song "Zanna" (1984) by musician Luc van Acker and singer Anna Domino. The song became the basis for a story about a family who named their daughter after it, and it also inspired a charity cover in 2011.
- Meaning: “lily” or “rose”; descendant of the Egyptian lotus.
- Type: Diminutive of Susanna/Suzanna.
- Usage: English (rare).
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Zanna