Cullen Boy

Popularity: #745 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KUL-en //ˈkʌl.ən//

Origin: Irish; English

Meaning: Irish: 'cub'; English: 'descendant of the hound

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Cullen has its roots in the Gaelic language, specifically deriving from the Irish surname "Ó Cuileann," which means "descendant of Cuileann." The name Cuileann itself is believed to be derived from the word "cuileann," referring to a holly tree, which holds significance in Celtic culture. The transition of Cullen into English occurred through the anglicization of Irish surnames, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries as English became more dominant in Ireland and among Irish emigrants.

Historically, the name Cullen has been associated with various notable figures, particularly in Ireland. One significant milestone is the presence of the name in the annals of Irish history, where members of the Ó Cuileann clan were documented as early as the medieval period.

The name has also appeared in various historical texts and genealogies, contributing to its recognition in Irish heritage. Additionally, the name Cullen can be found in early Irish literature and folklore, where it may have been linked to local legends and stories.

Culturally, the name Cullen resonates with themes of nature and strength, reflecting the characteristics of the holly tree from which it derives. The holly tree is often associated with protection and resilience in Celtic symbolism.

This connection to nature has helped the name endure through generations, as it embodies qualities that are valued in various cultures. While diminutive forms such as "Cully" may arise in informal contexts, the name Cullen itself has maintained a distinct identity throughout its history, representing a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance.

Famous people named Cullen

In this section, you will find notable people named Cullen. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Cullen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Cullen who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Cullen Bunn is a comic book writer best known for The Sixth Gun, Harrow County, and Deadpool.

Fictional characters named Cullen

The following list of fictional characters named Cullen is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Cullen Bohannon is a fictional character from the TV series Hell on Wheels. He is a former Confederate soldier seeking revenge while working on the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Cullen, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ColinCallumCameronCarterCadenConnor

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Cullen. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

KellanDylanGalenJalenMasonSullivanTalon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Cullen was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Cullen has ranked as high as #865 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and California.

In the past 5 years the name Cullen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Cullen is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Cullen was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Cullen.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 200 194 6
2024 189 189 0
2023 219 219 0
2022 258 258 0
2021 342 342 0
2020 370 370 0
2019 411 411 0
2018 464 464 0
2017 556 556 0
2016 529 529 0
2015 497 492 5
2014 452 447 5
2013 455 447 8
2012 482 474 8
2011 574 568 6
2010 685 679 6
2009 567 562 5
2008 283 283 0
2007 286 286 0
2006 260 260 0
2005 278 278 0
2004 270 270 0
2003 284 284 0
2002 318 318 0
2001 336 336 0
2000 369 363 6
1999 353 353 0
1998 381 374 7
1997 411 405 6
1996 399 392 7
1995 407 400 7
1994 301 301 0
1993 337 337 0
1992 293 293 0
1991 198 198 0
1990 166 166 0
1989 182 177 5
1988 162 162 0
1987 151 146 5
1986 122 122 0
1985 100 100 0
1984 95 90 5
1983 97 97 0
1982 89 89 0
1981 107 102 5
1980 98 98 0
1979 99 99 0
1978 77 77 0
1977 57 57 0
1976 77 72 5
1975 58 58 0
1974 82 77 5
1973 56 56 0
1972 36 36 0
1971 53 53 0
1970 62 62 0
1969 50 50 0
1968 39 39 0
1967 26 26 0
1966 27 27 0
1965 21 21 0
1964 33 33 0
1963 23 23 0
1962 31 31 0
1961 34 34 0
1960 39 39 0
1959 37 37 0
1958 24 24 0
1957 27 27 0
1956 33 33 0
1955 28 28 0
1954 22 22 0
1953 22 22 0
1952 17 17 0
1951 23 23 0
1950 17 17 0
1949 20 20 0
1948 23 23 0
1947 24 24 0
1946 24 24 0
1945 19 19 0
1944 17 17 0
1943 34 34 0
1942 19 19 0
1941 31 31 0
1940 20 20 0
1939 21 21 0
1938 22 22 0
1937 20 20 0
1936 12 12 0
1935 28 28 0
1934 24 24 0
1933 28 28 0
1932 20 20 0
1931 25 25 0
1930 26 26 0
1929 21 21 0
1928 28 28 0
1927 32 32 0
1926 34 34 0
1925 37 37 0
1924 29 29 0
1923 21 21 0
1922 39 39 0
1921 42 42 0
1920 25 25 0
1919 29 29 0
1918 34 34 0
1917 28 28 0
1916 30 30 0
1915 35 35 0
1914 27 27 0
1913 21 21 0
1912 17 17 0
1911 12 12 0
1910 10 10 0
1907 8 8 0
1905 9 9 0
1904 5 5 0
1903 6 6 0
1901 5 5 0
1899 5 5 0
1896 5 5 0
1895 7 7 0
1894 7 7 0
1891 5 5 0
1887 5 5 0
1883 6 6 0
1880 9 9 0

Top States for Cullen (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
MN 14
11%
TX 13
10%
FL 11
8%
PA 11
8%
TN 11
8%
MS 10
8%
GA 10
8%
AL 8
6%
SC 8
6%
LA 8
6%
MA 8
6%
NY 7
5%
CA 6
5%
MI 5
4%