Oliver vs Sullivan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Oliver Rank #3
Sullivan Rank #340

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 vs #340 for Sullivan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Oliver ___

  • Oliver James
  • Oliver Thomas
  • Oliver William
  • Oliver Henry
  • Oliver John
  • Oliver Benjamin

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 Oliver

Olivia Charlotte Emma Sophia Amelia

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 Oliver or Sullivan more popular?

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 compared to Sullivan at #340 in the United States.

What do Oliver and Sullivan mean?

Oliver means "olive tree" (Latin origin). Sullivan means "descendant of the dark one" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Oliver and Sullivan boy or girl names?

Oliver is primarily a boy name. Sullivan is primarily a boy name.

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