Rising since 1993, #3,314 for boys today.
Popularity of Sully since 1980
Babies named Sully per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 159 | 0 |
| 1990s | 69 | 50 |
| 2000s | 35 | 210 |
| 2010s | 65 | 257 |
| 2020s | 42 | 163 |
Meaning & origin
Sully is a short, punchy name that has been steadily climbing in popularity since it first appeared on U.S. records in 1993. By 2025, it reached rank 3,314, with a birth rate of about 1 in 48,802. The name peaked in 2011, likely influenced by the fame of Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger after the 'Miracle on the Hudson' in 2009. While its etymology is debated, the name carries a friendly, approachable feel, fitting a modern trend toward ending in the 'ee' sound. Though not yet in the top 100, its sustained rise suggests it may continue to gain favor among parents seeking a distinctive but not unfamiliar name.
Sully likely originated as a surname, either from an English place name meaning 'south meadow' (Old English sūð 'south' + lēah 'clearing, meadow') or as a shortened form of the Irish surname Sullivan (Ó Súilleabháin, 'descendant of Súilleabhán', meaning 'dark-eyed'). As a given name, Sully gained modest use in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by the character Dr. James 'Sully' Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed a plane on the Hudson River in 2009.
“Sully” around the world
Where Sully lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Sulley
Sibling names for Sully
Names that share Sully's style, for a brother or sister.
