Rising since 1986, #314 for boys today.
Popularity of Sullivan since 1884
Babies named Sullivan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 30 |
| 1890s | 0 | 63 |
| 1900s | 0 | 10 |
| 1910s | 0 | 122 |
| 1920s | 0 | 141 |
| 1930s | 0 | 110 |
| 1940s | 0 | 114 |
| 1950s | 0 | 129 |
| 1960s | 0 | 85 |
| 1970s | 0 | 86 |
| 1980s | 0 | 83 |
| 1990s | 84 | 535 |
| 2000s | 247 | 2,135 |
| 2010s | 605 | 6,428 |
| 2020s | 506 | 5,564 |
Meaning & origin
Sullivan, an Irish surname turned given name, has been rising steadily as a first name since the mid-1980s. It first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1884, but its real ascent began around 1986. In 2025, it ranked 314th, with a 1-in-1,577 frequency, and reached its highest popularity ever that same year. The name is strongest in Vermont, Maine, and Minnesota, reflecting its appeal in states with strong Irish heritage. Sullivan's blend of surname prestige and soft Irish charm makes it a distinctive yet accessible choice.
Sullivan is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Súilleabháin, meaning 'descendant of Súilleabhán'. The personal name Súilleabhán is derived from súil (eye) and the diminutive suffix -án, often interpreted as 'dark-eyed' or 'hawk-eyed'. The Ó Súilleabháin clan was historically prominent in County Kerry and County Tipperary. As a given name, Sullivan gained popularity in the late 20th century, following the trend of using surnames as first names.
Where Sullivan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sullivan” around the world
Where Sullivan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
New Zealand
10
babies in 2025
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sully
Sibling names for Sullivan
Names that share Sullivan's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Finley, Quinn, Harper, Avery, Maeve, Murphy, Sheridan, Brinkley, Carrigan, Kennedie, Kerrigan, Vivianne, Kerigan, Madigan, Brennyn, Connelly, Hennessey, Mattingly, Murphie, Subrina, Devaney, Ahilyn, Anisten, Baxley, Breane, Cagney, Delancey, Holliday, Marsali
Brothers: Hudson, Henry, Declan, Finn, Owen, Beckett, Callahan, Crosby, Delano, Donavon, Finnegan, Manning, Mccoy, Nolan, Dempsey, Dixon, Donavin, Fitzgerald, Morrison, Parnell, Quinlan, Tully, Woodson, Buckley, Callaghan, Claiborne, Crayton, Dillinger, Donovon, Duffy, Everitt, Owens, Redmond, Whitaker, Whitten, Bartlett, Beaumont, Coltrane, Dolan, Harrington, Jullien, Lowery, Macaulay, Maguire, Mcguire, Quinlin, Whalen, Belmont, Deaken, Bohannon, Breckan, Brookston, Calahan, Calihan, Carmichael, Clayborne, Conroy, Corrigan, Cowan, Fitzpatrick, Kallahan, Kinsler, Lochlin, Oxford, Quinnlan, Ridgely, Statler, Taggert
Names like Sullivan
Names whose popularity has moved with Sullivan's over the last 50 years.
