Sullivan Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Sullivan is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Sullivan?
Sullivan is spelled S-U-L-L-I-V-A-N. The name has 8 letters.
Sullivan at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Sullivan derives from the Irish surname Ó Súileabháin, which is commonly interpreted to mean “descendant of Súileabhán”.
- Origin
- Sullivan is an Irish surname that has also been used as a given name.
- Pronunciation
- suh-LIV-uhn · 3 syllables
Sullivan Popularity in 2025
Rank#2,410
Recorded Births74
Rank#314
Recorded Births1,083
- Girls usage fell 468 places to #2,410 and recorded 28 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage rose 25 places to #314 and recorded 67 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Sullivan Mean?
Sullivan derives from the Irish surname Ó Súileabháin, which is commonly interpreted to mean “descendant of Súileabhán”. The personal name Súileabhán is believed to comprise elements meaning “eye” and a diminutive suffix, though exact meanings vary.
Origin: Sullivan is an Irish surname that has also been used as a given name. It is associated with Gaelic origins, particularly from a family clan in southwestern Ireland.
How Do You Pronounce Sullivan?
Pronunciationsuh-LIV-uhn
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Sullivan?
- History
- The name Sullivan was historically a surname linked to an Irish family lineage and has also been used as a given name. It has been recorded in Irish genealogical and historical texts.
Sullivan Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 74 | #2,410 |
| 2025 | Boys | 1,083 | #314 |
| 2024 | Girls | 102 | #1,942 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,016 | #339 |
| 2023 | Girls | 85 | #2,210 |
| 2023 | Boys | 918 | #358 |
| 2022 | Girls | 87 | #2,174 |
| 2022 | Boys | 901 | #366 |
| 2021 | Girls | 81 | #2,266 |
| 2021 | Boys | 876 | #372 |
| 2020 | Girls | 77 | #2,302 |
| 2020 | Boys | 770 | #398 |
| 2019 | Girls | 74 | #2,400 |
| 2019 | Boys | 778 | #401 |
| 2018 | Girls | 83 | #2,217 |
| 2018 | Boys | 822 | #388 |
| 2017 | Girls | 91 | #2,108 |
| 2017 | Boys | 797 | #401 |
| 2016 | Girls | 80 | #2,343 |
| 2016 | Boys | 783 | #409 |
| 2015 | Girls | 70 | #2,555 |
| 2015 | Boys | 667 | #455 |
| 2014 | Girls | 49 | #3,272 |
| 2014 | Boys | 634 | #462 |
When Was Sullivan Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2025 · Boys
1,083 recorded births
National rank #314
2024 · Boys
1,016 recorded births
National rank #339
2023 · Boys
918 recorded births
National rank #358
2022 · Boys
901 recorded births
National rank #366
Where Sullivan Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| VT | #37 | 10 |
| MN | #75 | 75 |
| ME | #91 | 14 |
| SC | #111 | 47 |
| SD | #116 | 11 |
| WI | #128 | 48 |
| ND | #136 | 9 |
| IA | #156 | 27 |