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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sullivan

164 replies

Moomoo36 · 08/06/2023 21:42

I normally like more classic names but for some reason I'm taken with Sullivan.

Has anyone used it/know one/have an opinion on it?

Doubt I'm having a boy anyway as this is dc4 and all the others are girls but good to be prepared!

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Daffodilwoman · 09/06/2023 06:37

Screams surname to me too. I immediately think of a looser kind of guy. A loner who everyone steers clear of. Don’t know why, perhaps it’s been used in a dram as the name of the local wrong ‘un which I’ve watched!

Nursey94 · 09/06/2023 03:14

We have a Sullivan/Sully (but usually gets shortened to Sol)
I'm biased but I love it and wouldn't change it!

junebirthdaygirl · 09/06/2023 03:11

I would only consider it if it was a family surname eg. Mothers maiden name or yours . Otherwise no! It's so popular as a surname in lreland it would always scream surname to me.

user1492757084 · 09/06/2023 02:56

Sullivan and Sully are both nice.

fridaynight1 · 09/06/2023 01:58

As in Gillbert O?

It's surname, I wouldn't

StandingMyGround888 · 09/06/2023 01:19

The word 'sully' does not have a pleasant meaning. Would you consider Sylvan instead?

Sugarfree23 · 08/06/2023 23:57

Of that list the two I find weird are Harrison and Jackson.
McKenzie is another I find weird.

SlippySarah · 08/06/2023 23:38

I really cannot get on board with the trend to use surnames as first names. I know too many - Jackson, Parker, Preston, Austin, Harrison. Its weird.

Tintackedsea · 08/06/2023 23:32

Suliven is a hill in Scotland if you want an alternative spelling.

(It was also a ferry for many years but the least said about Scottish ferries the better!)

croft89 · 08/06/2023 23:25

Reminds me of the drug dealer called Sully in Top Boy

BlahBlahBlerg · 08/06/2023 23:22

DustyLee123 · 08/06/2023 21:50

I think of it as a surname, not a first name. Sully could be cute though.

Cute. But all I picture is

Sullivan
MaudGonneOutForChips · 08/06/2023 23:19

If you wouldn’t call your baby Murphy, Jones or Singh, don’t call it Sullivan.

Sugarfree23 · 08/06/2023 23:18

Maybe it's a Scottish thing of names being used for both first name and surname, part of it being mother's maiden name being used for the first son.

But I definitely wouldn't think anything of the name Sullivan as a first name, it could also get shortened to Ivan

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 08/06/2023 23:16

@Sugarfree23 Jones and smith doesn't have the 'son' on the end either but they're definitely more surnames than anything, just like Sullivan.

salamithumbs · 08/06/2023 23:15

I know someone called Sullivan but it has always sounded very surnamey to my ears and I've never really gotten used to it! Everyone calls him Sully which reminds me of Monsters Inc

HadEnoughOfBears · 08/06/2023 23:15

MrsSamR · 08/06/2023 22:12

I just think of Sully from Monsters Inc - sorry!

Me too. Sorry.

MyGrandmaLizzie · 08/06/2023 23:14

Sully was a monster in Monsters Inc irc

WunWun · 08/06/2023 23:14

It brings 'sullen' to my mind. I can't stand it.

JumpinJellyfish · 08/06/2023 23:13

Sullivan is a surname. It’s even the surname of Monsters Inc character!

Go for Solomon nn Solly if you like the sound. Sol is cool too.

TheMurderousGoose · 08/06/2023 23:13

O'Sullivan is the third most common surname in Ireland.

TheMurderousGoose · 08/06/2023 23:10

Sugarfree23 · 08/06/2023 22:44

Not really, Morrison and Patterson are clearly surnames with the son on the end, Morris's son and Patrick's son

Sullivan does have that. Google tells me it means Dark Eyes.

Show quote history

Sullivan is clearly a surname.

villamariavintrapp · 08/06/2023 23:05

Much prefer Solomon, or suleman.

IsadoraQuagmire · 08/06/2023 22:54

James Marsters (Spike in Buffy The Vampire Slayer) has a son called Sullivan Marsters, so that's who I think of when I hear the name.

Sugarfree23 · 08/06/2023 22:44

GoodVibesHere · 08/06/2023 22:06

I don't like it sorry. It's a surname, and to me comes across as a bit random, like naming a child Morrison, or Patterson.

Not really, Morrison and Patterson are clearly surnames with the son on the end, Morris's son and Patrick's son

Sullivan does have that. Google tells me it means Dark Eyes.

Sugarfree23 · 08/06/2023 22:38

I know a man who has the surname Sullivan nickname Sully.
I actually quiet like it, but I do think it will become Sully.