Sullivan

boyIrish

Sullivan is an boy name of Irish origin, meaning “Dark-eyed; hawk-eyed”.

MeaningDark-eyed; hawk-eyed
GenderBoy
OriginIrish
PronunciationSUL-ih-vən
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inIreland, United States, Australia, United Kingdom

Meaning and origin of Sullivan

Sullivan is the anglicised form of the Irish surname Ó Súilleabháin, 'descendant of Súilleabhán'. The personal name is usually traced to súil, 'eye', but the second part is debated: it is explained as 'dark-eyed', 'one-eyed' or 'hawk-eyed', and scholars do not agree. The O'Sullivans were a leading family of Munster, especially in Cork and Kerry. As a first name it is a recent choice, popular in the US, and the composer Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert and Sullivan is a famous surname bearer.

Is Sullivan a religious name?

Sullivan has no religious background; it is an Irish clan surname used as a first name. It is often chosen by families with Irish roots.

How popular is Sullivan?

A rising first name in the US and Australia; in Ireland it remains mainly a surname.

Gifts with the name Sullivan

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Spellings and variants of Sullivan

O'SullivanSullySúilleabhán

Names similar to Sullivan

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sullivan mean?

Sullivan means 'Dark-eyed; hawk-eyed'. It is of Irish origin.

Does Sullivan have a religious meaning?

Sullivan has no religious background; it is an Irish clan surname used as a first name. It is often chosen by families with Irish roots.

How do you pronounce Sullivan?

Sullivan is pronounced SUL-ih-vən.

Is Sullivan a boy or girl name?

Sullivan is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.