Find out how popular the first name Sue has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sue by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sue is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 96% of people named Sue being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sue.

The history of the first name Sue

The name Sue is an English feminine given name derived from the French name Susanne or Suzanne, which itself originated from the Hebrew name Shoshannah, meaning "lily" or "rose." The name first appeared in ancient texts during the biblical period and was mentioned in the Old Testament as the name of one of the daughters of Elkanah.

In the Middle Ages, the name became popular in Europe, particularly in France and England. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sue was in the 12th century, when a woman named Sue de Senlis, the wife of a French nobleman, was mentioned in historical records from the region of Île-de-France.

During the Renaissance period, the name Sue gained prominence, with several notable figures bearing the name. One such person was Sue Herbault, a French noblewoman and lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine de' Medici in the 16th century.

In the 17th century, the name Sue was also found in literary works, such as the play "The Duchess of Malfi" by John Webster, where a character named Sue was featured.

The 18th century saw the rise of several influential women named Sue. One of the most notable was Sue Delaunay, a French painter and textile designer who was a key figure in the Orphism art movement in the early 20th century (1885-1979).

In the 19th century, Sue Nair was a prominent Indian social reformer and pioneer of women's education, who established several schools for girls in the state of Kerala (1838-1905).

Moving into the 20th century, Sue Monk Kidd, an American writer and author of the critically acclaimed novel "The Secret Life of Bees," was born in 1948 and continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary literature.

Throughout history, the name Sue has been borne by numerous influential and remarkable women from various walks of life, spanning multiple cultures and time periods. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its elegant simplicity and versatility, as well as its rich historical and cultural heritage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sue was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sue, please contact us.

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