Sultan Boy

Popularity: #777 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: SUL-tan //ˈsʌltən//

Origin: Arabic; Turkish

Meaning: Arabic: ruler; Turkish: sovereign

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Sultan has its roots in the Arabic language, derived from the term "sultān," which means "authority" or "power." This term is derived from the Arabic verb "sāla," meaning "to be powerful" or "to have authority." The use of the term to denote a ruler or sovereign emerged in the Islamic world during the medieval period, particularly as a title for various Muslim leaders and monarchs. The name entered the English language through the Latin "sultānus" and the Old French "sultan," which were used in the context of the Islamic empires that expanded into Europe during the Crusades and later periods of contact between the Islamic and Christian worlds.

Historically, the title of Sultan became prominent in the 10th century, particularly with the rise of the Seljuk Empire, which established a significant political and cultural influence in the Middle East. The title was further popularized by the Ayyubid dynasty, founded by Saladin in the late 12th century, who is renowned for his role in the Crusades.

The term was also used in various contexts across different regions, such as the Ottoman Empire, which lasted from the late 13th century until the early 20th century, where the title denoted the supreme ruler of the empire. Culturally, the name Sultan carries connotations of leadership, strength, and governance, reflecting the authority associated with its historical usage.

It has been adopted in various cultures influenced by Islamic traditions, often symbolizing nobility and power. The name has also been used in literature and art, representing figures of authority and grandeur.

While diminutive forms or variations may exist in different cultures, the essence of the name remains tied to its original meaning of sovereignty and rule.

Famous people named Sultan

In this section, you will find notable people named Sultan. 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 Sultan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Sultan 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.

Sultan Kosen is a Turkish farmer best known for being the tallest living man according to Guinness World Records.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Sultan, 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 Sultan. 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 Sultan was first seen in the United States in 1966.

Sultan has ranked as high as #2571 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Sultan has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Sultan 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 Sultan 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 Sultan.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 161 161
2024 152 152
2023 128 128
2022 145 145
2021 109 109
2020 121 121
2019 102 102
2018 108 108
2017 92 92
2016 98 98
2015 70 70
2014 58 58
2013 49 49
2012 55 55
2011 43 43
2010 41 41
2009 35 35
2008 25 25
2007 18 18
2006 27 27
2005 32 32
2004 34 34
2003 26 26
2002 34 34
2001 40 40
2000 22 22
1999 27 27
1998 32 32
1997 23 23
1996 24 24
1995 26 26
1994 25 25
1993 21 21
1992 18 18
1991 24 24
1990 18 18
1989 21 21
1988 20 20
1987 15 15
1986 14 14
1985 21 21
1984 15 15
1983 11 11
1982 15 15
1981 19 19
1980 15 15
1979 22 22
1978 17 17
1977 17 17
1976 28 28
1975 26 26
1974 20 20
1973 14 14
1972 6 6
1971 8 8
1966 9 9

Top States for Sultan (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
CA 23
19%
NY 22
19%
TX 20
17%
MI 10
8%
VA 9
8%
FL 9
8%
IL 7
6%
NJ 7
6%
WA 6
5%
OH 5
4%