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NamyLab

Sullivan

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Dark-eyed"

Sullivan comes from an Irish surname Ó Súileabháin, commonly interpreted as referring to dark eyes and later adopted as a given name.

Themes:irishsurnamepatronymicdark

Fact-checked by Grace Royal

M.A. Linguistics, Columbia UniversityCertified Naming Consultant15+ Years Experience • Editor-in-Chief

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Sullivan

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#339Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#339

Sullivan was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+19

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Sullivan Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Sullivan.

10 ideas
Sully
Nickname
Van
Nickname
suly
Nickname
sull
Nickname
sie
Nickname
sy
Nickname
so
Nickname
ivan
Nickname
vany
Nickname
su
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Sullivan

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Sullivan, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

14 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Sullivan mean?
Sullivan means "Dark-eyed". Sullivan comes from an Irish surname Ó Súileabháin, commonly interpreted as referring to dark eyes and later adopted as
What is the origin of Sullivan?
Sullivan is of Irish origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Sullivan?
According to the latest SSA data, Sullivan is currently ranked #339 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Sullivan a boy name?
Sullivan is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Sullivan?
Popular nicknames for Sullivan include Sully, Van, suly, sull, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Sullivan?
There are many names similar to Sullivan in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginIrish
Syllables3
Length8 letters
US Rank#339
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Sullivan

Sullivan has Irish roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Irish baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Sullivan appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Beautiful Irish Baby Names and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls and Last Names That Mean Dark.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Sullivan pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Sullivan beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.