Sully

“From the eye”

American origin · Unisex name

♂ 61% boys♀ 39% girls

#4098US 2023

27Births / yr

↑Rising

875All-time births

📅 Since 198000

How to pronounce Sully

SUHL·ee

/ˈsəl.iː/ · stress on SUHL · 2 syllables

“From the eye”

American origin · Unisex name

What does Sully mean and where does it come from?

Sully is traditionally an Irish surname that has been adopted as a first name for girls. It has a meaning related to a visual or ‘from the eye’ in Gaelic. The name has a casual, friendly feel and has seen increased use in recent years in the U.S. Popularity has been bolstered by notable personalitie

Cultural significance

Sully has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of from the eye.

Peak popularity

Reached #2419 in 1984 — currently #4098 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Sully?

Sully works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Sully Grace

How popular is Sully right now?

Rising fast — up 1507 spots — currently #4098 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1980–2023#4098 · Top 3.0%

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#4098	27	▲ up 1507 · +59% births
2022	#5605	17	▼ down 1968 · -45% births
2021	#3637	31	▲ up 6779 · +244% births
2020	#10416	9	▲ up 2965 · +29% births
2015	#13381	7	▼ down 3360 · -36% births
2010	#10021	11	▲ up 5881 · +120% births
2000	#15902	5	▼ down 4730 · -29% births
1995	#11172	7	▼ down 6504 · -67% births
1990	#4668	21	▼ down 820 · -5% births
1985	#3848	22	▲ up 5228 · +214% births
1980	#9076	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Sully

Best Year2021Rank #3637

Peak Count31

Average Rank#8348

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1980 - 202311 years

The story of Sully

Sully is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1980. With 875 total births recorded, Sully remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #9076 in 1980 to #4098 in 2023. Sully is used for both genders: 39% female and 61% male.

Names that peaked alongside Sully in 1984:

Jennifer Jessica Ashley Amanda Sarah

Sully by decade

Sully peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →

Decade	Births
1980s	159
1990s	119
2000s	245
2010s ★	322
2020s	30

💎Sully has only 875 total recorded births since 1980 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Sully?

Common

SulSu

What names sound and feel like Sully?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Sully also consider these

Korea · a willow tree's

Sally

American · Princess

Tully

Ireland · peaceful; tranquil

Solly

American · Hebrew

Gully

Sanskrit · A Sanskrit name

Bully

International · A International name

Common questions about the name Sully

What does the name Sully mean?

Sully means "From the eye" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Sully?

Sully is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Sully have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Sully?

Sully originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Sully?

Sully is a two-syllable name pronounced S AH1 L IY0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Sully trending right now?

Sully is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.