gender neutral
Sullivan
dark-eyed
About Sullivan
Distinguished and sophisticated, this name exudes warmth alongside its formal elegance. The rhythmic quality of its syllables creates a pleasing cadence that feels both substantial and approachable. Often shortened to the friendly "Sully," it offers versatility for different life stages and social contexts. The name suggests intelligence, creativity, and a certain literary quality that appeals to parents with artistic sensibilities. It carries Celtic heritage while feeling completely at home in modern settings. Strong enough to stand alone, yet gentle enough to avoid intimidation, it balances multiple qualities effectively. The name works particularly well for families seeking something classic but not overly common.
Popularity of the Name Sullivan
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | #837 | |||
| 1888 | #808 | |||
| 1889 | #666 | |||
| 1890 | #663 | |||
| 1891 | #757 | |||
| 1892 | #681 | |||
| 1894 | #942 | |||
| 1898 | #986 | |||
| 1899 | #777 | |||
| 1900 | #896 | |||
| 2002 | #992 | |||
| 2003 | #957 | |||
| 2004 | #952 | |||
| 2005 | #927 | |||
| 2006 | #931 | |||
| 2007 | #732 | #880 | ||
| 2008 | #705 | #600 | ||
| 2009 | #653 | #561 | ||
| 2010 | #650 | #464 | ||
| 2011 | #523 | #800 | #471 | |
| 2012 | #490 | #407 | ||
| 2013 | #504 | #799 | #411 | |
| 2014 | #463 | #592 | #327 | |
| 2015 | #455 | #589 | #362 | |
| 2016 | #409 | #597 | #279 | |
| 2017 | #401 | #529 | #270 | |
| 2018 | #388 | #544 | #280 | |
| 2019 | #401 | #528 | #273 | |
| 2020 | #398 | #446 | #421 | #262 |
| 2021 | #372 | #445 | #350 | #246 |
| 2022 | #366 | #412 | #281 | #221 |
| 2023 | #358 | #362 | #342 | #221 |
| 2024 | #339 | #277 | #289 | #203 |
| 2025 | #314 | #295 | #470 | #203 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Canada
Variations of Name Sullivan
- Sullavan
- Sullavaney
- Sullevan
Names Similar to Sullivan
Nicknames for Sullivan
- Sully
- Van
- Sul
- Livan
Famous People Named Sullivan
| Sullivan Stapleton | Australian actor |
| Sullivan Sweeten | American actor |
| Sullivan Ballou | American politician and soldier |
| Sullivan Richardson | Canadian politician |
| Sullivan Chime | Nigerian politician |
| Sullivan B. "Sully" King | American baseball player |
| Sullivan Tuttle | American entrepreneur |
| Sullivan Edward Martin | American Olympic rower |
| Sullivan Fortner | American jazz pianist |
| Sullivan Barrera | Cuban professional boxer |
Characters Named Sullivan
| Sullivan "Sully" Sullivan | Monsters, Inc |
| Sullivan "Sully" Travis | The Notebook |
| Sullivan Jones | Orange Is the New Black |
| Sullivan Keane | The Affair |
| Sullivan Brooker | The Sinner |
| Sullivan Groff | The Morning Show |
| Sullivan Grove | House of Cards |
| Sullivan Bell | Beverly Hills, 90210 |
| Sullivan Rutherford | Younger |