[citation needed] It is derived from the Egyptian shoshen, meaning "lotus flower".

The spelling Susanna is used in Sweden, Italy, the Netherlands and Finland, as well as in the English-speaking world.

Even though very uncommon, it is also spelled Susana in Spain and Portugal, where it is more common.

The Hebrew form Shoshana is still commonly used by Jewish people in the diaspora and in contemporary Israel, often shortened to "Shosh" or "Shoshi".

“As chaste as Susanna” is an English saying in reference to the Biblical character.