Given name
Shoshana
“resembling a graceful white lily”
Shoshana is a variant of Susannah. One Hebrew interpretation is “resembling a graceful white lily.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In Arabic use, Shoshana carries the interpretation “resembling a graceful white lily.” Shoshana is a variant of Susannah. One Hebrew interpretation is “resembling a graceful white lily.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Arabic.
How it developed
Shoshana is used as a form of Susan.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1948. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Shoshana through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,682
- 0 boys · 5,682 girls
- Most popular year
- 2022
- 152 babies
- 2025
- 123
- #1,682 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +7%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 123 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,682 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 6.6% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, New Jersey had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (38). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 4,998 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Shoshana’s family of names
Shoshana is a form of Susan. Shoshana has a related form in Susannah. Shoshana has a related form in Shoshanna.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 17
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 5
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Shoshana
- Shoshana ZuboffAmerican sociologist, professor emerita at Harvard Business School and authorborn 1951
- Shoshana DamariIsraeli singer, artist and actress (1923–2006)
- Shoshana Arbeli-AlmozlinoIsraeli politician (1926-2015)
- Shoshana PersitzIsraeli politician (1892–1969)
- Shoshana Strookdaughter of Orit Strook (1987–2026)
- Soshana AfroyimAustrian painter (1927–2015)
- Shoshana GershonowitzIsrael Defense Forces officer1906–1986
- Shoshana BeanAmerican theater actress and singerborn 1977
- Shoshana BushAmerican actressborn 1988
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Shoshana, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Macarena
“blessed, happy”
>99% girls
Safiya
“one who is pure” · “having the lion's share”
>99% girls
Amina
“honest; trustworthy; faithful” · “faithful, trustworthy”
>99% girls
Alina
“illustrious” · “one who is noble”
>99% girls
Marwa
Marwa is a feminine given name from Arabic.
>99% girls
Soraia
Soraia is a feminine given name from Arabic. It is used in Portuguese.
>99% girls
Adhara
>99% girls
Zara
“princess”
>99% girls