Sully Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SUH-lee //ˈsʌli//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: 'sow'; English: diminutive of Sullivan
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Sully is believed to have its origins in the Irish surname O'Suileabhain, which translates to 'descendant of Suileabhain.' The name Suileabhain itself is derived from the Gaelic elements 'súil,' meaning 'eye,' and 'abhain,' meaning 'river' or 'stream.' This etymological background suggests a connection to nature, possibly indicating a person who lived near a river or had some notable characteristic associated with the eye. The surname O'Suileabhain was anglicized to Sullivan, which is more commonly recognized today, and from this, the diminutive form Sully emerged as a given name in English-speaking contexts, particularly in the 20th century.
Historically, the name Sullivan has been borne by several notable figures, including the 18th-century Irish revolutionary leader John Sullivan and various saints, such as Saint Sullivan, who is venerated in some traditions. The name gained further recognition through literary and cultural references, including its appearance in various works of literature and media.
The transition of Sullivan to Sully as a given name reflects a broader trend in the English language where surnames are adapted into first names, particularly as a means of honoring familial heritage. Culturally, the name Sully carries connotations of strength and resilience, often associated with the Irish heritage from which it originates.
The name has been embraced in various contexts, including literature and film, where characters named Sully are frequently depicted as loyal and courageous. This cultural resonance has helped maintain the name's presence in contemporary naming practices, reflecting a connection to its historical roots and the enduring appeal of names with rich etymological backgrounds.
Famous people named Sully
In this section, you will find notable people named Sully. 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 Sully who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Sully 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.
Sully Erna is a musician best known for being the lead vocalist of Godsmack.
Sully Sullenberger is a retired airline pilot best known for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River.
Fictional characters named Sully
The following list of fictional characters named Sully 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.
Sully is a fictional character from the animated film Monsters, Inc. He is a large, blue monster who works as a top scarer and is known for his gentle nature and friendship with Mike Wazowski.
Sully is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. He is a skilled survivor who plays a crucial role in helping the main characters navigate a post-apocalyptic world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sully, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Sully. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Sully was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Sully has ranked as high as #1082 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Sully has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Sully 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 Sully was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Sully (1992)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
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 Sully.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 10 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1990 | 21 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1986 | 20 |
| 1985 | 22 |
| 1984 | 40 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1980 | 7 |