Holding steady.
Popularity of Sunil since 1962
Babies named Sunil per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 99 |
| 1970s | 300 |
| 1980s | 285 |
| 1990s | 169 |
| 2000s | 95 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Sunil is a traditional Sanskrit name widely used in India and among the Indian diaspora. It peaked in U.S. usage in 1979 and has since declined, remaining stable in usage outside official rankings. The name carries a literal meaning of 'very dark blue,' an auspicious color in Hindu culture. While never entering the American top 1000, its use reflects heritage amid broader trends of cross-cultural naming.
Sunil derives from Sanskrit सुनील (sunīla), a compound of सु (su, 'good, very') and नील (nīla, 'dark blue, indigo'). The name is common in India and among Hindu communities worldwide. It has been used as a given name since antiquity and appears in Hindu mythology as an epithet for deities like Krishna.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sunu, Nilu, Sunny
Variants: Sunila, Sunil Kumar
Sibling names for Sunil
Names that share Sunil's style, for a brother or sister.
