Shoshana

Shoshana is a female given name of Hebrew origin. It comes from the biblical name Shoshannah, which means lily or rose, and in some contexts is associated with the flower itself. In Hebrew, the root connotes beauty and bloom, and the form Shoshana has been used in Jewish communities for centuries. The name spread to other languages through biblical translations and later contact with Hebrew-speaking communities, leading to variants such as Susanna and Suzanne in Christian Europe, and Shoshana or Shoshannah in modern Hebrew and American usage.

Variants and diminutives include Shoshi or Shoshie, and Anglicized forms such as Susannah or Suzanna in English-speaking contexts. The name remains common in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide, and it is used by people of diverse backgrounds.

Notable individuals named Shoshana include Shoshana Damari (1923–2006), an influential Israeli singer; Shoshana Zuboff (born 1951), an American scholar and author known for works on surveillance capitalism; and Shoshana Bean, an American stage actress and singer. The name also appears in literature and media, reflecting its biblical roots and enduring cultural presence.