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

Popularity of Susan by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Susan is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Susan being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 218 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Susan.

The history of the first name Susan

Susan is a feminine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name Shoshannah, which means "lily" or "rose." The name can be traced back to ancient biblical times and is mentioned in the Old Testament.

The name Susan first appeared in English in the late 13th century as a variation of the French name Susanne, which was derived from the Latin Susanna. In the Book of Daniel in the Bible, Susanna was a virtuous woman falsely accused of adultery.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Susan was in the 14th century, when Susan Kyngeston, an English nun, was mentioned in historical records from the year 1348. Another early reference was Susan Hurly, who was born in England in the late 15th century.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Susan, including:

1. Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), a pioneering American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement.

2. Susan Glaspell (1876-1948), an American playwright, novelist, and actress, known for her one-act play "Trifles" and the novel "The Verge."

3. Susan Sontag (1933-2004), an American writer, filmmaker, philosopher, and political activist, best known for her works such as "On Photography" and "Illness as Metaphor."

4. Susan Sarandon (born 1946), an American actress and activist, known for her roles in films like "Thelma & Louise," "Dead Man Walking," and "The Client."

5. Susan Boyle (born 1961), a Scottish singer who rose to fame with her appearance on the TV talent show "Britain's Got Talent" in 2009.

The name Susan has been consistently popular throughout the centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, and continues to be a widely used name today.

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 Susan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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