Meaning: Its source is Shoshana, a Hebrew name meaning "Lily."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English.

Nicknames: Sue, Susan, Susann, Susie, Susy, Suzi, Suzie, Suzy, Zana, Suse and Suze

Alternative Spellings: Susana, Susanah, Susanna, Suzanna, Suzannah and Suzzanna

Variant Forms: Susanne and Suzanne

Non-English Forms: Suzana, Zuzana, Zsuzsánna and Zuzanna

Source Forms: Shoshana

Popularity: The name Susannah ranked 1676th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: The first known Shoshana (or Susanna) features in a Hebrew literary piece regarded as an unofficial addition to the Book of Daniel. It is, in fact, an ancient detective story, complete with a dramatic trial scene.

The beautiful Shoshana is accused of adultery by two elders. Despite her protests of innocence, she is about to be condemned to death when the prophet Daniel intervenes. He demands that the elders stand up to separate cross-examination about their accusation.

Outside one another's presence, the two elders give contradictory accounts of the alleged crime. Daniel argues that they intended to deceive the court, and that they, not Shoshana, were the ones with the sinful intentions.

Thanks to Daniel, Shoshana is found innocent, and the elders are condemned.