Sullivan
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Sullivan
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.
Sullivan for boys#314 US
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.
Sullivan for girls#2432 US
Stylish and boyish but could work for a girl -- especially one with brown eyes -- and Sully is a quirky and jaunty nickname.
Pronounced SUL-uh-vun.
As of October 2026, Sullivan ranked #314 in US births in 2025 SSA, Nameberry popularity #109.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #463 | 634 | #3,320 | 49 |
| 2015 | #455 | 667 | #2,582 | 70 |
| 2016 | #409 | 783 | #2,364 | 80 |
| 2017 | #401 | 797 | #2,125 | 91 |
| 2018 | #388 | 822 | #2,235 | 83 |
| 2019 | #401 | 778 | #2,424 | 74 |
| 2020 | #398 | 769 | #2,313 | 77 |
| 2021 | #372 | 876 | #2,284 | 81 |
| 2022 | #366 | 901 | #2,188 | 87 |
| 2023 | #358 | 918 | #2,224 | 85 |
| 2024 | #339 | 1,011 | #1,948 | 102 |
| 2025 | #314 | 1,083 | #2,432 | 74 |
World rankings
Sullivan for boys
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Sullivan on lists
Famous Sullivans
- Sullivan StapletonBoy
Australian actor
- Sullivan Skye SweetenBoy
American actor; twin brother of the late Sawyer Storm Sweeten
- Sullivan WaitsBoy
son of singer Tom Waits
- Sullivan MarstersBoy
son of actor James Marsters
- Sullivan Patrick Dempsey (b. 2007)Boy
son of actor Patrick Dempsey
- Sullivan James Gable (b. 2012)Boy
son of singers Mark Gable and Melinda Schneider
- Theodore Vigo Sullivan GilliesBoy
son of actress Rachael Leigh Cook & Daniel Gillies
- Emily Sullivan Oakey (1829Girl
1883), hymnist
- Sullivan Mae Montana (b. 2012)Girl
daughter of country singer Randy Montana
- Sullivan Violet "Sully" Resich (b. 2012)Girl
daughter of reality TV personality Meghan Conroy Resich of "There Goes the Motherhood"
- Sloane Sullivan Corddry (b. 2006)Girl
daughter of actor/comedian Rob Corddry
Sullivan in pop culture
- James "Sully" SullivanBoy
character in Pixar's "Monsters, Inc."
- Vic SullivanBoy
from the movie "Knucklehead"
- Walter SullivanBoy
character from the video game series "Silent Hill"
- Jordan SullivanGirl
"Scrubs" character
- Cassie SullivanGirl
main character from the "5th Wave" book series
- Sullivan MeadowsGirl
character in the Addicted Series