babyname.clubMy shortlist0

Mostly boys · Irish surname

Sullivan

“black-eyed one”

Say it SUL-uh-vunPronunciation may vary by region.

See your shortlist ↗

A little maybe, saved for later.

The story behind the name

Meet Sullivan.

Sullivan is an Irish surname traditionally interpreted as ‘black-eyed one.’ It has a long history as a family name, with bearers in literature, music and public life, before its use as a first name.

8 lettersIrish origins ↗

A little perspective

How popular is Sullivan?

United States · 2025
Girls · 2025#2,43274 recorded births
Boys · 2025#3141,083 recorded births

Recorded US births over time

201420251,0830
● Girls● Boys
View the numbers behind the chart
YearCategoryUS rankBirths
2025Boys3141,083
2025Girls2,43274
2024Boys3391,016
2024Girls1,954102
2023Boys358918
2023Girls2,22685
2022Boys366901
2022Girls2,19087
2021Boys372876
2021Girls2,28481
2020Boys398770
2020Girls2,31377
2019Boys401778
2019Girls2,42474
2018Boys388822
2018Girls2,23583
2017Boys401797
2017Girls2,12691
2016Boys409783
2016Girls2,36480
2015Boys455667
2015Girls2,58470
2014Boys463634
2014Girls3,32049

Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.

A few ways to make it theirs.

Nicknames

No nicknames are listed yet. The name can stand beautifully on its own.

Variations & related forms

We haven’t added verified variations for this spelling yet.

Keep the possibilities coming

If you love Sullivan…

More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.