Meaning & History
Suzan 1 is a variant of the name Susan, itself an English form of Susanna. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew name Shoshanna, meaning “lily” or, in modern Hebrew, “rose,” and possibly from an Egyptian word for “lotus.” In the Old Testament Apocrypha, Susanna is a woman falsely accused of adultery, vindicated by the prophet Daniel. In the New Testament, a woman named Susanna is mentioned as a follower of Jesus.
Etymology and History
Suzan 1 represents a de-emphasized variation of Susan, which became the standard English spelling from the 18th century onward. The name gained widespread popularity in the 20th century, peaking in the United States and United Kingdom between the 1940s and 1960s, often associated with the feminist icon Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906).
Related Forms
Other variations include Suzanna, Susanne, and Susanna. Diminutives include Sue, Susie, Suki, and Sookie. In other languages, the name appears as Suzana (Slovene), Sawsan (Arabic), Shushan (Armenian), among others.
Usage
As an English name, Susan has been modestly popular but declined since the 1970s. Suzan 1, as an alternative spelling, is less common but remains in use.
- Meaning: Lily, rose (or lotus)
- Origin: Hebrew via Greek and English
- Type: Variant
- Usage Regions: English-speaking countries