Kieran vs Sullivan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kieran

Boy #441 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little dark one"

Origin: Irish Gaelic (ciar + -án)

Cultural Roots

Irish Scottish English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#441
Total SSA Count
713
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kier

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kieran →

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

Kieran Rank #441
Sullivan Rank #340

Sullivan is more popular, ranked #340 vs #441 for Kieran.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kieran ___

  • Kieran James
  • Kieran Patrick
  • Kieran Michael
  • Kieran Thomas
  • Kieran Francis
  • Kieran Joseph

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 Kieran

Declan Ronan Siobhan Niamh Cormac

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 Kieran or Sullivan more popular?

Sullivan is more popular, ranked #340 compared to Kieran at #441 in the United States.

What do Kieran and Sullivan mean?

Kieran means "little dark one" (Irish Gaelic (ciar + -án) origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Kieran and Sullivan boy or girl names?

Kieran is primarily a boy name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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