Colin vs Sullivan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Colin

Boy #335 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"young dog, whelp"

Origin: Irish/Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

English Irish Scottish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#335
Total SSA Count
1,035
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Col

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Colin →

Sullivan

Boy #340 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"descendant of the dark one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#340
Total SSA Count
1,011
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Sully, Van

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Sullivan →

Popularity Comparison

Colin Rank #335
Sullivan Rank #340

Colin is more popular, ranked #335 vs #340 for Sullivan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Colin ___

  • Colin James
  • Colin Patrick
  • Colin Michael
  • Colin Andrew
  • Colin Lee

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 Colin

Declan Ronan Siobhan Bridget Aiden

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 Colin or Sullivan more popular?

Colin is more popular, ranked #335 compared to Sullivan at #340 in the United States.

What do Colin and Sullivan mean?

Colin means "young dog, whelp" (Irish/Scottish Gaelic origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Colin and Sullivan boy or girl names?

Colin is primarily a boy name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

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