The name Suzanne originated from the French language and has its roots in the Hebrew name Shoshana, which means "lily" or "rose." The name first gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages, around the 12th century.

In ancient times, the name Suzanne was associated with the biblical story of Susanna, found in the apocryphal book of Daniel. This tale narrates the story of a virtuous and beautiful woman who was falsely accused of adultery but ultimately vindicated by the wisdom of Daniel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Suzanne can be found in the 13th century French poem "Roman de la Rose," where a character named Suzanne is mentioned. Another early example is Suzanne of Bourbon (1491-1521), a French noblewoman and the daughter of Peter II, Duke of Bourbon.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Suzanne. One of the most famous was Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938), a French painter and artists' model who was a pioneer of the modern art movement. Another was Suzanne Lenglen (1899-1938), a French tennis player who was a six-time Wimbledon champion and one of the first international sports celebrities.

In the realm of literature, Suzanne Césaire (1915-1966) was a French author and educator from Martinique, known for her contributions to the Négritude movement. Suzanne Farrell (born 1945) is an American ballerina and former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, renowned for her technical precision and artistic expression.

The name Suzanne has also been popularized in music, with Suzanne Vega (born 1959) being a notable American singer-songwriter known for her folk-pop sound and poetic lyrics. Additionally, Leonard Cohen's iconic song "Suzanne" from his 1967 album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" has contributed to the enduring appeal of this name.