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Sullivan

Irish surname
"black-eyed one"
Sophie Kihm
By Sophie Kihm
Updated Tue Sep 30 2025

Sullivan Origin and Meaning

The name Sullivan is a boy's name of Irish origin meaning "black-eyed one".

Sullivan is a jaunty Celtic three-syllable name, with a real twinkle in its eye. It was immortalized in the 1930s classic film Sullivan's Travels and was chosen for one of Patrick Dempsey's twin boys. Nickname Sully is equally jaunty.

The third most common surname in Ireland, Sullivan's heritage dates back to the third century. Countless distinguished surnamed Sullivans include Sir Arthur, half of composing team Gilbert & Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher Annie, Chicago architect Louis, early boxer John L. and dour columnist/TV emcee Ed.

Other celebs with boys named Sullivan: singer Tom Waits and actor James Marsters. Heroic pilot Chesley Sullenberger is known as Sully, and a featured character in Pixar's Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University was Sullivan.

# 339 in the US

Sullivan Rank in US Top 1000

# 191 on Nameberry

Sullivan Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Popularity of the name Sullivan

20 Names Similar to Sullivan

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Famous People Named Sullivan

  • Sullivan Stapleton
    Australian actor
  • Sullivan Skye Sweeten
    American actor; twin brother of the late Sawyer Storm Sweeten
  • Sullivan Waits
    son of singer Tom Waits
  • Sullivan Marsters
    son of actor James Marsters
  • Sullivan Patrick Dempsey (b. 2007)
    son of actor Patrick Dempsey
  • Sullivan James Gable (b. 2012)
    son of singers Mark Gable and Melinda Schneider
  • Theodore Vigo Sullivan Gillies
    son of actress Rachael Leigh Cook & Daniel Gillies

The name Sullivan in Pop Culture

  • James "Sully" Sullivan
    character in Pixar's "Monsters, Inc."
  • Vic Sullivan
    from the movie "Knucklehead"
  • Walter Sullivan
    character from the video game series "Silent Hill"

The name Sullivan in Nameberry Blog Posts