Sunniva
About Sunniva
Sunniva was an Irish-born saint who fled to Norway, where she hid in an island cave with her followers and eventually died. After miracles were reported on the island, the cave was excavated and Sunniva's intact body was found. Sunniva is the patron saint of Western Norway. Her name would make a fascinating and unusual choice for a modern baby girl, and if her story is a bit grim, you can take refuge in the upbeat nickname Sunny or Sunni.
Pronounced SUN-nee-vuh.
As of October 2026, Sunniva ranked #5219 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #4644 in 2023, Nameberry popularity #472.
Editor: Sophie Kihm
Sources: US popularity data is from the Social Security Administration. Meanings and origins are from Nameberry's name references.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | #4,644 | 30 | 18.7 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Sunniva.
- Amoret
- Aurélie
- Ondine
- Ophira
- Elva
- Amandine
- Calanthe
- Vivica
- Arrietty
- Evanthe
- Asta
- Sorcha
- Signe
- Iolanthe
- Thessaly
- Tove
- Elettra
- Lucine
- Thais
- Yvaine
Sunniva on lists
Famous Sunnivas
- Sunniva Næs Andersen
Norwegian handballer
- Sunniva Ørstavik
Norwegian sociologist and public servant
- Sunniva Hakestad Møller
Norwegian politician
Sunniva in pop culture
- Sunniva
character in the novel "The Dark Light" by Mette Newth