Sullivan
Irish surname
"black-eyed one"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.
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.
# 399 in the US
Sullivan Rank in US Top 1000
Sullivan Popularity
20 Names Similar to Sullivan
These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Sullivan.
- Stellan
- Sutton
- Fletcher
- Cormac
- Lennon
- Griffin
- Otis
- Calloway
- Sullivan
- Finnegan
- Wilder
- Ronan
- Seamus
- Thatcher
- Porter
- Gulliver
- Lincoln
- Knox
- Sawyer
- Flynn
Want to keep track of your favorite names?
Create an account and you can create lists, keep track of favorites, and even be alerted when there is new content posted about a name.
Lists containing Sullivan
- Alternatives to Ryan
- Names That Mean Dark
- Best Irish Boy Names
- Black Cat Names
- Boy Names That Peaked in 2018
- Irish Surname Names
- Best Three Syllable Baby Names
- Popular Irish Baby Names
- Leo Baby Names
- Unusual Irish Boy Names
- September Baby Names
- Irish Names for Dogs
- New York Baby Names
- Surname Favorites
- Artistic Baby Names
- Baby Names Everyone Thinks Are Cool
- Antique Baby Names Back in Style
- Musician Baby Names
- Movie Character Names
- Top Baby Names 2021
- Yupster Baby Names for Boys
- Creative Baby Names
- Surname Baby Names
Famous People Named Sullivan
- Sullivan StapletonAustralian actor
- Sullivan Skye SweetenAmerican actor; twin brother of the late Sawyer Storm Sweeten
- Sullivan Waitsson of singer Tom Waits
- Sullivan Marstersson 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 Gilliesson of actress Rachael Leigh Cook & Daniel Gillies
Sullivan in Pop Culture
- James "Sully" Sullivancharacter in Pixar's "Monsters, Inc."
- Vic Sullivanfrom the movie "Knucklehead"
- Walter Sullivancharacter from the video game series "Silent Hill"