Sultan

“Sultan is a title of authority used historically in the Arab world, Ottoman Empire, and various Islamic states”

Arabic origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#1426US 2023

128Births / yr

↓Falling

1.7kAll-time births

📅 Since 196600.01% of births at peak

How to pronounce Sultan

SUHLT·un

/ˈsəlt.ən/ · stress on SUHLT · 2 syllables

“Sultan is a title of authority used historically in the Arab world, Ottoman Empire, and various Islamic states”

Arabic origin · Boy name

What does Sultan mean and where does it come from?

Sultan is a title of authority used historically in the Arab world, Ottoman Empire, and various Islamic states. The name has royal connotations, symbolizing power and leadership. Prominent figures with this name include Sultan Mohammed of Malaysia and the historic Sultans of Oman.

Cultural significance

Sultan has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Arabic-speaking communities, where it reflects values of arabic.

Peak popularity

Reached #1416 in 2020 — currently #1426 in the US.

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How else can you spell Sultan?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Sulton

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Sultan?

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

Sultan Grace

How popular is Sultan right now?

Falling — down 119 spots — currently #1426 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1975–2023#1426 · Top 1.1%

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1426	128	▼ down 119 · -12% births
2022	#1307	145	▲ up 283 · +33% births
2021	#1590	109	▼ down 174 · -10% births
2020	#1416	121	▲ up 641 · +75% births
2015	#2057	69	▲ up 830 · +68% births
2010	#2887	41	▲ up 309 · +28% births
2005	#3196	32	▲ up 495 · +45% births
2000	#3691	22	▼ down 891 · -15% births
1995	#2800	26	▲ up 590 · +44% births
1990	#3390	18	▼ down 907 · -14% births
1985	#2483	21	▲ up 565 · +40% births
1980	#3048	15	▼ down 1171 · -42% births
1975	#1877	26	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Sultan

Best Year2022Rank #1307

Peak Count145

Average Rank#2398

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1975 - 202313 years

The story of Sultan

Sultan is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1966. With 1,699 total births recorded, Sultan remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #1877 in 1975 to #1426 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Sultan in 2020:

Liam Noah Oliver Elijah William

Sultan by decade

Sultan peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
1960s	9
1970s	158
1980s	167
1990s	237
2000s	293
2010s ★	714
2020s	121

💎With 1,699 total births, Sultan is an uncommon but established name.

What are good nicknames for Sultan?

Common

SulSuUltan

Famous people named Sultan

Sultan (Sufi mystic)

Sultan used this name in the tradition of Islamic mysticism and spirituality.

Sultan (historical Arab ruler)

Sultan held this name across the Umayyad or Abbasid Caliphates, spreading its use widely.

Sultan (Sufi mystic)

Sultan used this name in the tradition of Islamic mysticism and spirituality.

Sultan (Islamic scholar)

Sultan bore this name in the Golden Age of Islam, when Arabic names carried prestige across the known world.

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Celebrity Names

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What names sound and feel like Sultan?

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

Subhan

Arabic · glorified, exalted

Sultaan

Middle East · Ruler, king.

Suliman

Arabic · peaceful, safe

English · A meaningful name

How is Sultan written in other languages?

Urdu), সুলতান

Bengali

What are the girl versions of Sultan?

Sultana ARABIC Sultana BENGALI Sultana URDU

Common questions about the name Sultan

What does the name Sultan mean?

Sultan means "Arabic" — a name rooted in Arabic 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 Sultan?

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

What is the cultural origin of Sultan?

Sultan originates from Arabic tradition. Arabic 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 Sultan?

Sultan is a two-syllable name pronounced S AH1 L T AH0 N. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Sultan trending right now?

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