Emma vs Sullivan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Emma

Girl #2 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strength"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2
Total SSA Count
13,485
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Emma →

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

Emma Rank #2
Sullivan Rank #340

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #340 for Sullivan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

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 Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

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 Emma or Sullivan more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Sullivan at #340 in the United States.

What do Emma and Sullivan mean?

Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Emma and Sullivan boy or girl names?

Emma is primarily a girl name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

Sullivan vs Emma Emma vs Alina Emma vs Aurora Emma vs Melanie Emma vs Annie
← Full profile: Emma ← Full profile: Sullivan Browse all baby names