How to say it
SUL · li · van
ˈsʌl.ɪ.vən
Masculine
Sullivan
Dark-eyed, hawk-eyed
What it means
From the Irish surname Ó Súilleabháin, built on súil ('eye'), usually read as 'dark-eyed' or 'hawk-eyed.'
Sullivan is one of the most common Irish surnames, from Ó Súilleabháin, where súil means 'eye' and the rest is read as 'dark' or 'one-eyed.' Like other big Irish surnames it crossed into first-name use, helped along by the cheerful short Sully and by the lovable monster of Monsters, Inc. It is warm, jaunty, and unmistakably Irish-American. Three syllables that wear easily.
How to spell Sullivan
The standard spelling is Sullivan. Common variants include Sullavan, Sullivann, but Sullivan is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #314 in 2025, currently #314 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Sully is the obvious, friendly short.
- Spelling
From the Irish Ó Súilleabháin, a name carried by huge numbers of Irish families.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Ed Sullivan host of the landmark American variety show
Spelling variants
- Sullavan
- Sullivann
Names with the same feeling
See Sullivan from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Sullivan mean?
- From the Irish surname Ó Súilleabháin, built on súil ('eye'), usually read as 'dark-eyed' or 'hawk-eyed.'
- What does Sullivan mean in Irish?
- In Irish, Sullivan means "Dark-eyed, hawk-eyed." Sullivan is one of the most common Irish surnames, from Ó Súilleabháin, where súil means 'eye' and the rest is read as 'dark' or 'one-eyed.' Like other big Irish surnames it crossed into first-name use, helped along by the cheerful short Sully and by the lovable monster of Monsters, Inc. It is warm, jaunty, and unmistakably Irish-American. Three syllables that wear easily.
- How do you pronounce Sullivan?
- Sullivan is pronounced ˈsʌl.ɪ.vən. Say it as SUL-li-van, with the stress on the "sul" syllable.
- How do you spell Sullivan?
- The standard spelling is Sullivan. Common spelling variants include Sullavan, Sullivann.
- Is Sullivan a boy or girl name?
- Sullivan is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Sullivan?
- Sullivan ranked #314 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.