NomOrigine Background

Origin and meaning of the name Shoshana

What is the origin of the name Shoshana?

Shoshana is a female given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word "shoshanah," meaning lily or rose. It is popular among Jews, particularly those of Sephardic and Mizrahi heritage, as it is found in the Bible, where it is the feminine form of the masculine name Shoshan, one of King Solomon's advisors and officers. The name appears frequently in Jewish literature and tradition, such as in the Talmud and the writings of Rabbi Isaac Luria (Arizal).

Learn more about the origin of the name Shoshana

The meaning, etymology, and origin of the name Shoshana

Shoshana is a female given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the word "shoshanah," which means 'rose' or 'lily.' It is commonly used among Jewish communities, particularly those with Sephardic and Mizrahi heritage, as it appears frequently in the Old Testament. In Jewish tradition, the rose symbolizes beauty and love, and is associated with the Biblical figure of Song of Solomon (Shir Hash Shirim), where the maiden is referred to as "Shoshannat Ha-kodesh" or 'the holy rose.' The name Shoshana carries a sense of elegance, grace, and feminine strength, reflecting the delicate beauty and resilience of the flower it represents.

Character traits associated with the name Shoshana

Shoshana is often characterized by strong-willed determination, compassion, and intelligence. This name, of Hebrew origin, signifies 'rose' or 'beauty', which mirrors her grace and elegance. Her resilience, rooted from the traditional association with the hardiness of the rose bush, empowers her to overcome challenges with tenacity. Shoshana demonstrates a nurturing disposition, similar to the way a rose cares for its fragrance, by being sensitive to others' feelings and providing emotional support when needed. Her intellectual curiosity drives her to seek knowledge and understanding, which often sets her apart from her peers. Overall, Shoshana embodies beauty, strength, and wisdom, making her a unique and admirable individual.

Popularity of the name Shoshana

The given name Shoshana has roots in Hebrew and is popular among Jewish communities worldwide. It is derived from the word "shoshanah," meaning lily or rose. Shoshana has a strong cultural significance, as it is the feminine form of the biblical character Shoshannah, who symbolizes beauty and grace. The popularity of the name Shoshana varies globally, with higher frequency in Israel, North America, and other regions with significant Jewish populations. In the United States, for example, Shoshana ranked within the top 1000 female names from the mid-20th century until the late 1980s but has since declined slightly in popularity. However, it remains a beloved choice among parents seeking unique and meaningful names for their daughters.

Famous people with the name Shoshana

Shoshana (or its variants such as Sophie and Sophia) is a Hebrew name meaning "lily" or "rose." Notable individuals bearing this name include:

1. Shoshana Bean - An American singer-songwriter, best known for originating the role of Sally Brown in the Broadway musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

2. Shoshana Boberg - A Canadian actress, notable for her roles in television series such as "Lost Girl" and "The Exorcist."

3. Shoshana Johnson - An American soldier who served in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was the first woman of African-American and Native American heritage to die in combat since World War II.

4. Shoshana Zuboff - An American sociologist, philosopher, and professor at Harvard Business School, known for her work on the impact of information technology on society and economy.

5. Shoshana Lew - An American urban planner who served as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation under Mayor Bill de Blasio.

These individuals represent various fields including entertainment, military service, academia, and public administration, demonstrating the versatility and global reach of the name Shoshana.

Variations of the name Shoshana

Shoshana is a female Hebrew name with multiple variants, primarily arising from differences in transliteration and pronunciation. The most common English spellings are: Shoshana, Shoshannah, Shoshanah, and Shoshanah. Other variations include Shosanna, ShoShona, and Shoshonah, though these may be less commonly used. These names all share the same meaning: "lily" or "rose." In Yiddish, Shoshana is also sometimes spelled as Shoyshn or Shoyshna, while in Russian, it might be rendered as Шошана (Shoshaна). Additionally, some cultures may shorten or nickname the name to Shoshi or Sha-Sha. It's important to note that these variations can have slightly different pronunciations depending on regional dialects and cultural influences.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 14 June 2025

Share the origin and meaning of your name with your friends

Search the origin of a first name

Enter the first name you are looking for below:

Similar First Names

Sho aib (First name)

forenames > sho-aib

The name Sho Aib is of Japanese origin.

Shoab (First name)

forenames > shoab

The name Shoab is of Arabic origin.

Shoabe (First name)

forenames > shoabe

The name "Shoabe" does not have a widely recognized origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it is a rare or uncommon name with a unique origin that is not widely document...

Shoabi (First name)

forenames > shoabi

The name Shoabi is of Arabic origin.

Shoaib ansari (First name)

forenames > shoaib-ansari

The name Shoaib Ansari is of Arabic origin. The first name Shoaib means "the prophet" or "a messenger of God" in Arabic. The surname Ansari typically denotes someone who is a desce...

Shoaib kahn (First name)

forenames > shoaib-kahn

The first name "Shoaib Khan" originated from Islamic culture and is a commonly used name in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan and India. The name "Shoaib" is of Arabic origin an...

Shoaib khadar (First name)

forenames > shoaib-khadar

The name Shoaib Khadar is of Arabic origin. "Shoaib" is an Arabic name meaning "he who shows the right path" or "prophet" in Islamic tradition. "Khadar" is also an Arabic name mean...

Shoaib khan (First name)

forenames > shoaib-khan

The name Shoaib Khan originates from Pakistani and Islamic culture. The name Shoaib is of Arabic origin and is a common name in Muslim-majority countries. Khan is a surname commonl...

Shoaib mansuri (First name)

forenames > shoaib-mansuri

The name Shoaib Mansuri is of Arabic origin. Shoaib is a common name in the Islamic world, often associated with the Prophet Shoaib mentioned in the Quran. Mansuri is a surname of ...

Shoaib shaikh (First name)

forenames > shoaib-shaikh

The name Shoaib Shaikh is of Arabic origin. "Shoaib" is derived from the Arabic name of a prophet mentioned in the Quran, while "Shaikh" is a common surname in Arabic-speaking coun...

Shoaid (First name)

forenames > shoaid

The name Shoaid is of Arabic origin.

Shoaob (First name)

forenames > shoaob

The name Shoaib is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the name of a prophet mentioned in Islamic scriptures.

Shoarin (First name)

forenames > shoarin

The name "Shoarin" does not have a widely recognized origin. It does not appear to have a specific language or cultural derivation.

Shoban singh (First name)

forenames > shoban-singh

The first name Shoban Singh is of Indian origin. It is a combination of two Sanskrit words, "Shoban" meaning beautiful or splendid, and "Singh" which is a common surname in Sikh cu...

Shobashoba (First name)

forenames > shobashoba

The name "Shobashoba" is of African origin.