Etymology
Shoshana (Susanna) is a Hebrew feminine first name, transliterated from the Biblical Hebrew שׁוֹשַׁנָּה (Shoshanna). It is directly derived from the Hebrew word שׁוֹשָׁן (shoshan), meaning "lily" — though in modern Hebrew it also denotes "rose." The name's ultimate origin may be traced to the Egyptian word sšn ("lotus").
Biblical and Historical Context
In the Old Testament Apocrypha, Shoshana is the protagonist of the Book of Susanna, a virtuous woman falsely accused of adultery. The prophet Daniel intervenes, cross-examining her accusers and exposing their perjury, leading to Shoshana's acquittal. The New Testament also mentions a woman named Susanna among those who ministered to Jesus (Luke 8:3).
The name crossed into European usage through its Greek form Σουσάννα (Sousanna), taken up by early Christians in honor of the biblical heroine. During the Middle Ages the name was used occasionally but became widespread after the Protestant Reformation, giving rise to vernacular forms such as Susan, Suzanne, and Zuzana.
Modern Usage and Variants
In contemporary Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide, Shoshana has remained popular alongside short forms like Shosh and Shoshi. The name has also produced many cognates in other languages: Susanna (Ukrainian), Syuzanna (Russian), Suzana (Slovene), Sawsan (Arabic), Shushan (Armenian), and Shushanik (Armenian), as well as Ethiopian forms such as Sosina. In North Africa the name appears as Sawsen/Sawsan.
Notable Bearers
- Soshana Afroyim (1927–2015), Austrian painter who adopted a variant spelling during her stay in Israel.
- Shoshana Arbeli-Almozlino (born 1926), Israeli politician and former Minister of Health.
Other Languages & Cultures
Sources: Wikipedia — Shoshana