Girl · 111th of 12,526
Sue
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
145,042
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1947
Peak Popularity Year
5,318
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Sue stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Sue originates from Hebrew, meaning 'lily' or 'rose,' evolving through various forms including Shoshana and Susan. It has gained popularity in English-speaking regions as a diminutive name, often reflecting warmth and familiarity. There are no direct biblical ties to the name. Notable individuals with this name include Sue Grafton and Sue Perkins.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/suː/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Sue is often considered a diminutive of the name Susan, which derives from the Hebrew name Shoshana, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.'
Meaning
lily, rose
Language Evolution
Shoshana (Hebrew), Susanna (Latin), Susan (English), Sue (English)
Historical Usage
The name Sue gained popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a standalone name.
Variants & Derivatives
Susan, Suzanne, Sukey
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Sue is viewed as a classic and somewhat vintage name, often associated with warmth and familiarity.
Famous People
Sue Grafton, Sue Sylvester, Sue Perkins
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,318 peak births in 1947
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6320th of 7545 | 12 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2445th of 6773 | 177 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2871st of 7552 | 156 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 7360th of 10718 | 23 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4872nd of 16616 | 151 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 243rd of 9107 | 13,057 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 110th of 9204 | 43,124 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 111th of 12526 | 73,365 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 367th of 19264 | 10,306 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1372nd of 27321 | 1,749 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5227th of 35406 | 391 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 9431st of 30306 | 130 |