Name Sullivan

Sullivan is a masculine name with Irish, Gaelic origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.

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Meaning of the name Sullivan

Origins and Core Meaning

Sullivan is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin, meaning "descendant of Suileabhan". Suileabhan is an Irish personal name, which means "black-eyed". The name Sullivan is therefore thought to have originated as a nickname for someone with dark eyes.

Detailed Insights on Sullivan

Origins

Irish - Gaelic.

Symbolic Representation

The name Sullivan is often associated with the following symbols:

  • The color black
  • The raven
  • The number 8
  • The planet Saturn

Personality Traits

The name Sullivan conveys a sense of strength, independence, and determination. It is a name that is often associated with leaders and those who are willing to take risks. Sullivan is also a name that is associated with creativity and imagination.

Key Personality Traits

Personal Meanings of the Name Sullivan

  • According to https://www.irelandbeforeyoudie.com/the-top-20-irish-surnames-in-america-ranked/, Sullivan is an Irish name meaning hawk-eyed or one-eyed-hawk.

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  • There should actually be two Ls in the original form of this name: Súilleabhán, Ó Súilleabháin. The second L comes from the D in _dubh_, for what it's worth: _súil_eye+ _dubh_black, dark+ _-án_ (a diminutive ending). [noted -ed]

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  • The translation is faulty, but the form is accurate:
    Ua (Ó) Súileabháin : Clann of the White ("Blind") Eyed One.
    Spelling may vary.

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Sullivan Overview & Analysis

Gender statistics

Sullivan is predominantly a boy's name with a strong masculine identity. Among 11,903 people named Sullivan, 11,511 are male and 392 are female resulting in a 96.7% male and just 3.3% female. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Sullivan's strong masculine identity.

Data Explanation

This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Sullivan's gender association.

Popularity

Sullivan classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 2,215 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Sullivan is nearly 0.003%, or about one in 20,000+ people.

Popularity and Usage Trends for Sullivan

Based on the latest data from 2021 (6), 2022 (5), 2023 (5), Sullivan's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is 2.19%. The name Sullivan was most popular in 2022, making up 0.03% of baby names (or about one in 3,000+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1921 with a usage rate of 0.0002%.

Country-Specific Prevalence
Sullivan Popularity by Country
FlagCountryRankPopularity
Canada1,0390.01%
United Kingdom1,8900.005%
New Zealand2,0020.001%
United States2,2220.003%
Australia2,4260.001%

People named Sullivan are predominantly found in Canada (CA), particularly in Alberta (AL), where it makes up 0.01% of the population.

Data Source

The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:

To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.

Additional Information on Sullivan

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Name
Sullivan
Pronunciation
  • suhl-uh-vuhn
  • SAH-Lih-VahN
  • suh-li-vin
  • SUHL-ih-vuhn
  • Sul-li-van
IPA Notation
sʌˈlʌvʌn
Syllable
Chinese Translation of the Name Sullivan
Translation
苏利万
Pronunce
(PinYin) : sū lì wàn
Feng Shui
WoodFireWater
Sullivan in Numerology
Sullivan: Name to Numerology Conversion
SULLIVAN
391
13345

Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):

Sullivan's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 4

  • You actively and honestly explore, learn, and share knowledge with others.
  • You strive to bring stability, organization, and order to your family, workplace, and community.
  • You desire financial, emotional, and physical stability to lead a safe and secure life.

Sullivan's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 7

  • You pursue self-fulfillment by doing your own thing and learning in your own way.
  • You experience immense joy and satisfaction when you achieve something and discover it yourself, rather than relying on others.

Sullivan's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 11

  • You are ambitious, conciliatory, and friendly.
  • You possess exceptional communication skills.
  • You are extroverted and driven, making great leaders with astute business minds.
Famous People Named Sullivan
  • Sullivan Ballou (1829-1861): American Civil War general who wrote a famous letter to his wife before his death at the Battle of First Bull Run.
  • Sullivan Stapleton (born 1977): Australian actor known for his roles in the films "Animal Kingdom" and "300: Rise of an Empire".
  • Sullivan Walker (born 1985): American football player who has played for the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders.

User-Submitted Information about Sullivan

  • I’ve met 2 baby Sullivan’s recently. 1 boy and 1 girl. Both were called Sully as a nick name. I’m not sure I like Sully as a name because of the meaning of the word sully. Obviously people are choosing the name because of the giant blue monster from Monsters Inc. Seems like a trendy name but also kind of dated in relation to the character and the movie being over 20 years old.

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  • Sullivan can be a female name. I know a little girl named this, and her nickname is Sully. (I feel sorry for her.)

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  • Sullivan can also be used on a girl. I know two female Sullivans.

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Conclusion

In summary, the name Sullivan holds timeless appeal, blending cultural significance with a unique charm. Whether chosen for its meaning or sound, Sullivan remains a strong and enduring choice, cherished across generations and cultures.

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