Susanna (given name)

Susanna or Suzanna is a feminine first name, from the Hebrew שׁוֹשַׁנָּה, Shoshana, 'Lily' which in turn derives from the Egyptian word for lotus flower . It is the name of women in the Biblical books of Daniel and Luke. It is also often spelled Susannah. Arabic سوسن (Sausan) meaning "iris". Persian سوسن (Susan) is the Persian spelling of this name and the Armenian "Susan", Shushan-Սուսան (Սուսաննա)= Շուշան (Շուշաննա, Շուշանիկ) also means iris. The spelling Susanna is used in Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland, as well as in the English-speaking world. The spelling Zuzana is used in Czech Republic and Slovakia and spelling Zsuzsanna in Hungary. In Poland it is Zuzanna. Even though very uncommon, it is also spelled Susana in Spain and Portugal, where it is more common. The original Shoshana is still commonly used by Jewish people in the diaspora and Israel, often shortened to "Shosh" or "Shoshi". “As chaste as Susanna” is an English saying in reference to the Biblical character.