"And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance."
Susanna Meaning in the Bible
Susanna
Susanna means "lily," from the Hebrew shoshannah. The name is genuinely in the King James Bible: Susanna is named among the women who "ministered unto him of their substance" as Jesus travelled and preached (Luke 8:3).
Is Susanna in the Bible?
Yes — Susanna appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 8:3.
Susanna is a girl name of Hebrew (Shoshana) origin meaning "Lily; Rose". Susanna comes from the Hebrew word "shoshana," meaning "lily" or "rose." In the Gospel of Luke, Susanna is named as one of the women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry financially "out of their substance."
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
Editor’s reflection
One of the women 'which ministered unto him of their substance' — a quiet supporter of Jesus' ministry.
Susanna comes from the Hebrew Shoshannah, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' In the King James Bible she is named in Luke 8:3 among the women who travelled with Jesus and the Twelve and supported them financially: 'Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.'
That single verse is the whole biblical portrait — no dialogue, no back-story — but it places Susanna alongside Mary Magdalene and Joanna in one of the most under-appreciated groups in the New Testament: the women who bankrolled the ministry of Jesus. The name also appears in the Apocryphal book Susanna (part of the Greek Daniel), where a young woman refuses to be blackmailed into sin and is vindicated by the prophet Daniel.
Because the name means 'lily,' it carries the same floral symbolism Jesus uses in Matthew 6:28 ('Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow'). For a daughter, Susanna combines quiet biblical dignity with an image the Gospels use for trust and beauty.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.”
Why parents choose Susanna today
- •Named New Testament woman who supported Jesus' ministry
- •Beautiful floral meaning (lily) with clear symbolism
- •Nicknames: Susie, Sue, Anna, Zsa — highly flexible
What does Susanna mean in the Bible?
Susanna means "Lily; Rose" and is a name of Hebrew (Shoshana) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Susanna comes from the Hebrew word "shoshana," meaning "lily" or "rose." In the Gospel of Luke, Susanna is named as one of the women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry financially "out of their substance."
Though only briefly mentioned, Susanna belongs to a remarkable group of women — including Mary Magdalene and Joanna — who traveled with Jesus and the twelve apostles and provided material support for the ministry. This was extraordinary in first-century culture.
The name Susanna evokes the beauty and purity of the lily, a flower Jesus Himself referenced: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Where does Susanna appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Susanna is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Luke 8:3. Each verse is quoted in full below.
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Susanna?
Susanna is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Susanna?
Susanna's quiet generosity reminds us that supporting God's work with our resources is itself a beautiful ministry. Like the lily, faithful service blooms with grace and beauty.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Susanna:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Grace
Hebrews 4:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Prayer & Grace
Hebrews 4:16 — Meaning & Devotional
Prayer
Ephesians 1:6 Commentary
In-depth study • Accepted in the Beloved
Grace (Chen) (חֵן (chen))
Favor, charm, and gracious acceptance — finding kindness in another's eyes.
Strong's H2580 — Grace (Chen)
חֵן (chen) • Favor, charm, and gracious acceptance — finding kindness in another's eyes.
What names are related to Susanna?
Names that pair well with Susanna
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Susanna
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Susanna name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Susanna
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Susanna?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Susanna?
You can read every verse where Susanna appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.