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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Sullivan

34 replies

user990546 · 03/03/2021 21:33

Thoughts on Sullivan?
Sully as a nn

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VegetarianDeathCult · 07/03/2021 00:12

It’s like calling your baby ‘Jonesy.’

Adventing · 06/03/2021 19:28

I don't always like surnames as first names but I really like this one

ILoveShula · 06/03/2021 19:27

I am of the same opinion as BackForGood

sully
/ˈsʌli/

verb
damage the purity or integrity of.
"they were outraged that anyone should sully their good name"
Similar:
taint
defile
soil
tarnish
stain
blemish
besmirch
befoul
contaminate
pollute
spoil
mar
spot
make impure
disgrace
dishonour
injure
damage
Opposite:
purify
make dirty.
"she wondered if she dared sully the gleaming sink"

BackforGood · 06/03/2021 17:33

I don’t know anyone that would use that term for making something dirty.

Possibly not 'to make dirty' but it is in common enough usage meaning "to spoil" or in connection with "ruining a reputation or good name".
It's quite a negative word.

Twelve8Ts · 05/03/2021 19:11

I don’t know anyone that would use that term for making something dirty.

Regarding the surname thing, boys will always have nicknames, names shortened, or some boys get called by their surnames. It’s really not a big deal.

Thedogscollar · 05/03/2021 18:43

Sully think Monsters Inc
Sully to dirty something.
Sorry OP don't like this name for a child.

HardcoreParkour · 05/03/2021 16:01

Not keen on Sullivan but Sully is really nice!

Starlive23 · 05/03/2021 15:58

I really like it, quite unique too. And monsters inc is awesome too!

TerribleCustomerCervix · 05/03/2021 15:12

Love it, but with our surname it would sound like an Irish estate agents.

I’m hoping for another girl so I can use Iseult nn Sully

GirlLovesWorld · 05/03/2021 15:11

I just don't think that's how very many people would hear it these days! They might be more likely to think Monsters Inc (that's why I decided against naming my son Mike Wazowski)

Grin
dotdotdotdash · 05/03/2021 15:06

It isn't a word that is used very much, you're right @GirlLovesWorld but when there's loads of lovely names out there, why choose one for your child that means 'to make dirty' ?????

GirlLovesWorld · 05/03/2021 14:30

Yeah but how often is it used in the park?

Oh Sully, don't sully your new trainers!

Not so much Grin

dotdotdotdash · 05/03/2021 14:20

@Cissyandflora

Sully as a verb means to make dirty. I wouldn’t name a child sully. But I also don’t like surnames as first names- that’s just me though. I know it’s very fashionable to do that.
This!

Also Monsters Inc!

Murtaghjames · 05/03/2021 14:11

I do like surnames as first names for boys but not keen on Sullivan. Maybe have a look at other Irish surnames if that's what your preference is leaning towards. Some really nice ones.

4amWitchingHour · 05/03/2021 14:11

Strongly dislike

VenusClapTrap · 05/03/2021 14:01

Not keen personally.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 05/03/2021 04:52

LOVE it!

GirlLovesWorld · 04/03/2021 16:47

I really like it! (speaking as the mother of a child whose first name is also a surname...it's common in Scotland. Harris, etc)

partyatthepalace · 04/03/2021 16:45

I think it's a bit meh.

Solomon, Sebastian, Silas ??!

KirstenBlest · 04/03/2021 12:53

Don't like it as a first name.

Cissyandflora · 04/03/2021 10:53

Sully as a verb means to make dirty. I wouldn’t name a child sully.
But I also don’t like surnames as first names- that’s just me though. I know it’s very fashionable to do that.

MooseBreath · 04/03/2021 10:42

DS's name is technically a surname, but I've never met anybody with that surname. I've met one other person with it as a first name. It's a name - doesn't matter if other people have it as a surname, given name, or nickname.

WonkyCactus · 04/03/2021 10:42

It's terrible, sorry.

Kiehl · 04/03/2021 10:38

I like it. I taught a boy called Sully. Unique and nice sounding
I would associate it with that monster film

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/03/2021 03:20

Sullivan is fine, maybe slightly cool/trendy sounding but nice enough. Sully reminds me of Monsters Inc or the Hero pilot but I guess that isn't a bad thing and it doesn't really matter anyway as a nn (although you could also choose the cute nn Sunny if he's a smiley little boy!)

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