From French Syracuse, from Latin Syrācūsae, from Ancient Greek Συρᾱ́κουσαι (Surā́kousai) attested from 8th century BC, from a Pre-Greek name, possibly Phoenician 𐤔𐤄𐤓𐤀𐤇 (šhrʾḥ, “to feel ill”) in reference to the ancient port's proximity to a swamp. With modified form of suffix -εις (-eis). As a surname, an anglicized form of Italian Siracusa. Doublet of Siragusa. Compare Sicilian Saragusa.