Sullivan nn Sully??

[anotherlittlesquish]

Hi everyone!

We are due our 2nd baby boy in a few weeks and are struggling to name him.

His older brother is Tobias (Toby) and we’re leaning towards Sullivan (Sully). I really like Sullivan but I’m not sure I’m as keen on the inevitable nn of Sully.

Other names were considering are:

Sonny
Arthur
Myles
Rupert

What are your thoughts on these names?
Thanks! X

It's one of the most common Irish surnames, and would be like calling your child Smith or Jones, to be known as Jonesy.

I actually really like it. I think it works well. The only other one of those I like is Myles. I think Rupert is incredibly twee.

The big furry lad in Monsters Inc was a Sullivan/Sully.

I do wonder why Irish surnames are so popular as first names. Irish surnames and occupation surnames. I know a young Delaney, a Rafferty and a Flynn. Rooney Mara’s name has to be the worst though. Imagine looking at your newborn daughter and thinking ‘ah yes, she’s definitely a Rooney’. Poor sod!

I really like Sullivan/Sully

My daughter had a boyfriend called Sully, his surname was O'Sullivan. He wasn't around long enough for me to discover his first name.

Arthur, Myles and Rupert are all good first names. Sullivan would be okay as a middle name if it was your maiden name, but I wouldn't randomly use it as a first name.

I think it depends on what your surname is but I really like it

It's a surname and the short version is horrible. To sully is to ruin or spoil something. Myles goes well with Rupert.

I think of Sullivan as a surname but I did think you were talking about Monsters Inc when I read the title.

It's a dogs name not a humans name

I love Sully. My children have watched Tom Hanks land that plane in the Hudson and they're all about the heroic Sully.

@Classica

The big furry lad in Monsters Inc was a Sullivan/Sully.

I do wonder why Irish surnames are so popular as first names. Irish surnames and occupation surnames. I know a young Delaney, a Rafferty and a Flynn. Rooney Mara’s name has to be the worst though. Imagine looking at your newborn daughter and thinking ‘ah yes, she’s definitely a Rooney’. Poor sod!

Yes, why are they so much used by British people? There was a thread on Cassidy the other day. It's not as though the UK as a whole doesn't have a fair few people whose surnames are Sullivan/O'Sullivan and Cassidy.

Presumably it has come via the US, where it makes a bit more sense when used as an ethnic/cultural marker name by Irish-Americans who may have never been to Ireland, and then leached out into the population as a whole.

It just seems a lot odder when it's a common enough surname in Britain, and associated with a particular ethnic group, in a country where there is still lingering anti-Irish feeling, and where you wouldn't expect people to be so guided by those batshit US baby name sites that will tell you that McKenna, Cavan and Cashel are used as first names in Ireland and get all the pronunciations wildly wrong.

Yes, Rooney Mara's name is baffling.

Why?

Probably wouldn't use it myself but I like it. When my DSis was pregnant with DN she was considering Iseult nn Sully, but her MIL had, shall we say, strong feelings

I think it's awful unfortunately.
It's not nice sounding, Sully means to make dirty or damage the integrity of.
It also makes me think of the blue monster.

What about Solomon nn Solly?

I do wonder why Irish surnames are so popular as first names.

Because many other people have Irish ancestry.

@Goooglebox

I do wonder why Irish surnames are so popular as first names.

Because many other people have Irish ancestry.

But if you have Irish ancestry, or have an irish surname yourself, you’re going to be so strongly aware of Sullivan etc as common surnames that has our be far less likely to use them as a first name. Rather like Smith isn’t (much) used as a first name in England.

I know a little Sullivan, with nn Sully. I think it's a good strong name.

Rooney Mara is called Patricia, Rooney is her middle name.

It makes sense if you have Irish heritage and the name is in the family. Otherwise it’s a bit random and contrived. Also very doggy.

I like it. You could use Van or Súil as nicknames.
Before it was a surname, Sullivan was a first name, same name as Solomon/ Suleiman etc. The Irish shave the m down to v. It's an ancient epic name.

@itssquidstella

What about Solomon nn Solly?

That would be my suggestion too. On face it would be on the list were I to be considering another which I absolutely am not.

On face?

In fact!

Love Toby

Sully makes me think Monsters Inc so a no from me even though the character is kind etc so not a bad association per se

Not keen on Rupert but love Sonny and indifferent to Arthur and Myles.