Rising since 1987, #1,241 for boys today.
Popularity of Sultan since 1966
Babies named Sultan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 9 |
| 1970s | 158 |
| 1980s | 166 |
| 1990s | 238 |
| 2000s | 293 |
| 2010s | 716 |
| 2020s | 816 |
Meaning & origin
Sultan entered U.S. naming records in 1966 and has been steadily rising in use since 1987, reaching its peak rank of 1241 in 2025. That year, roughly 1 in 10,609 newborn boys received the name. Its strongest concentration is in Virginia, Maryland, and Illinois, reflecting communities with ties to the Arabic-speaking world. The name carries the weight of its historical title, evoking authority and leadership, while its upward trajectory suggests growing cross-cultural appeal in the United States.
Sultan derives from the Arabic noun سلطان (sulṭān), meaning 'power', 'authority', or 'ruler'. Historically it was used as a title for a monarch or governor in Islamic states, notably in the Ottoman Empire and various sultanates. As a given name it has been borne across the Muslim world for centuries, and its use in the United States began to appear in the mid-20th century, reflecting immigration and cultural influence.
Where Sultan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sultan” around the world
Where Sultan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sul, Sully
Variants: Sultán, Sultane
Sibling names for Sultan
Names that share Sultan's style, for a brother or sister.
