Sullivan

At a Glance: Name: Sullivan – Meaning: descendant of the 'dark-eyed one' – Origin: Irish (surname, Ó Súilleabháin) – Gender: Boy – Pronunciation: SUL-ih-vun

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Sullivan is a boy's name that comes from the Irish surname Ó Súilleabháin, meaning 'descendant of the dark-eyed one.' It's pronounced SUL-ih-vun, and it carries a timeless, classic feel with enough edge to also work as a bolder, trailblazing pick. For a parent weighing surname-style first names, Sullivan brings real Irish roots behind it.

Meaning & Origin of Sullivan

Meaning: Descendant of the 'dark-eyed one'.

Origin: Irish (surname, Ó Súilleabháin).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Sullivan

Phonetic: SUL-ih-vun   IPA: /ˈsʌlɪvən/

Popularity of Sullivan

In 2024, 1,011 boys were given the name Sullivan, putting it at #339 nationally — its highest rank in the entire SSA record, which stretches back to 1884.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1884–2024.

Make Sullivan Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Sullivan, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Aden
• Aidan
• Ayden
• Brady
• Brayan
• Brayden

FAQ

What does the name Sullivan mean?

Descendant of the ‘dark-eyed one’. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Sullivan)

How do you pronounce Sullivan?

Sullivan is pronounced SUL-ih-vun (IPA: /ˈsʌlɪvən/).

Is Sullivan a popular name right now?

Sullivan is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #339 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1884–2024.)

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