The name Sue is a popular English short form of the name Susan, which is of Latin origin and means "lily." The name has been in use since the Middle Ages, but it gained significant popularity during the Victorian era. It was often used as a given name for girls born around that time period and has remained a staple among English-speaking populations ever since. In some cultures, Sue may also be used as an independent given name rather than simply a short form of Susan. Despite its long history and widespread usage, there are no notable historical figures or legends associated with the name Sue specifically. Instead, it is more commonly linked to its fuller form, Susan, which has been borne by several famous women throughout history.
The name Sue saw a significant rise in popularity during the early to mid-20th century, peaking in the late 1930s and early 1940s with over 3000 births per year. However, it began declining steadily from the mid-1950s onwards, dropping below 1000 births per year by the late 1960s. By the end of the 20th century and into the early 21st century, Sue has become quite rare, with fewer than 50 births per year since 2004. In recent years, it has been particularly uncommon, with only single-digit numbers of births recorded annually from 2016 onwards.