Su

♀ Girl

Pronounced SOO /ˈsu/High

Meaning: Three honest routes. In Turkish, su is the everyday word for 'water', and it is a well-loved modern given name. In English, Su is a short form of Susan/Susannah (from Hebrew Shoshannah, 'lily'). Su is also a Chinese name and surname, romanized here. Which route applies depends on the family.Low

In 30 seconds: Su is the Turkish word for 'water' — and, separately, a short form of Susan and a Chinese name (said 'SOO'). One clean syllable.

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Origin LowTurkish, English, Chinese

MeaningThree honest routes. In Turkish, su is the everyday word for 'water', and it is a well-loved modern given name. In English, Su is a short form of Susan/Susannah (from Hebrew Shoshannah, 'lily'). Su is also a Chinese name and surname, romanized here. Which route applies depends on the family.

U.S. rank (2023)#17307 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 691

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Su is a single bright syllable with three real routes. In Turkey it is the ordinary word for water, and a modern given name much admired for its simplicity. In English it is a clipped form of Susan or Susannah, which go back to Hebrew Shoshannah, 'lily'. And Su is also a Chinese name and surname, romanized into Latin letters here. We lay all three out rather than choose (said 'SOO').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, minimal, and carried by several traditions.

Did you know? In Turkish, su simply means water — the plainest and most necessary word there is, and a fashionable name for a daughter. Elsewhere the same syllable is Susan's nickname, or a Chinese name. We give all three honestly.

Overall data confidence 40%

References — Su — Turkish su 'water'; Susan short form; Chinese Su (romanized)

Variations

SueSooSusu

Nicknames

SusuSudie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Su…

Sue— the English name Su shortens

Lin— a like short romanized Chinese name

Mei— another minimal one-beat pick

Elif— a like Turkish favourite

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Su mean?

In Turkish it means 'water'. It is also a short form of Susan (from Hebrew 'lily') and a Chinese name — routes vary, which we note.

How do you pronounce Su?

It's said SOO /ˈsu/ — one syllable.

Is Su a boy or girl name?

Su is used here as a girl's name; as a Chinese surname it belongs to whole families.

How popular is Su?

Su is a rare name for girls in the U.S., though it is fashionable in Turkey.