Alex vs Sullivan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Alex

Boy #205 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"defender of men"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English Greek Spanish Russian French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#205
Total SSA Count
1,722
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Al, Lex

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Alex →

Popularity Comparison

Alex Rank #205
Sullivan Rank #340

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 vs #340 for Sullivan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Alex ___

  • Alex James
  • Alex Michael
  • Alex Thomas
  • Alex Ryan
  • Alex John
  • Alex William

Sullivan ___

  • Sullivan James
  • Sullivan Patrick
  • Sullivan Thomas
  • Sullivan Reid
  • Sullivan Finn
  • Sullivan Grant

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Alex

Ryan Emma Sophie Natalie Jack

If you choose Sullivan

Finnegan Declan Bridget Nora Callum

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alex or Sullivan more popular?

Alex is more popular, ranked #205 compared to Sullivan at #340 in the United States.

What do Alex and Sullivan mean?

Alex means "defender of men" (Greek origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Alex and Sullivan boy or girl names?

Alex is primarily a boy name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Alex ← Full profile: Sullivan Browse all baby names