There were some theories regarding his deity name of 'Susa,' which asserted that it came from the god of storms or the god of rainstorms (Susano's activities in Takamanohara indicated the damage by rainstorms) or that it meant acting on the momentum, having the same root as 'susumu' (progress).
神名の「スサ」は、荒れすさぶの意として嵐の神、暴風雨の神とする説や（高天原でのスサノオの行いは暴風雨の被害を示すとする）、「進む」と同根で勢いのままに事を行うの意とする説がある。