"glutton"
Origin: Old French goulu
Language: English
Gulliver
Pronunciation: [ g-UHL-ihv-er ]
Does Gulliver flow with your last name?
Adventure and literature wrapped in three bold syllables
English
American
Literary
Literary
Adventurous
Whimsical
Distinctive
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"sea bird"
Origin: Old English gull
Language: English
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The Story of Gulliver
Gulliver leapt into cultural consciousness through Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical masterpiece 'Gulliver's Travels,' making it one of literature's most recognizable names. The name itself likely derives from the Old French 'goulu' (glutton) or may reference the gull seabird, creating an appropriately seafaring character name for a ship's surgeon who travels to fantastical lands. As a given name, Gulliver has seen a modern revival among parents who love literary names with a sense of adventure and whimsy, sitting comfortably alongside favorites like Oliver and Sebastian.
Gulliver has seen growing use since the 2010s as literary names became fashionable and parents sought distinctive alternatives to popular Oliver.
Through Swift's novel, Gulliver became synonymous with adventure, satire, and encountering worlds vastly different from one's own.
Historical Record
Gulliver first appeared in US Social Security records in 2021.
Over 5 babies have been named Gulliver in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gulliver is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #44,489 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels is considered one of the first novels in English literature
- The name Gulliver shares roots with the word 'gull,' a seabird associated with ocean voyages
- Famous parents who chose Gulliver: Gary Oldman named his son Gulliver in 1997
Gulliver in Other Languages
French
Gulliver
German
Gulliver
Italian
Gulliver
Spanish
Gulliver
Japanese
ガリヴァー
Popularity Over Time
#44,489
Current Rank
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gulliver
G
Gulliver Oldman
Actor
1997
Son of actor Gary Oldman, helping popularize the name
L
Lemuel Gulliver Fictional
Other
Fictional ship surgeon and adventurer in Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels (1726)
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Compare Gulliver with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #44,489
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- English American Literary
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Gully
Gull
Gulliver
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Distinctive pick, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gulliver
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Gulliver
Phonetic neighbors that share Gulliver's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gulliver
What does the name Gulliver mean?
"glutton" (from Old French goulu). "sea bird" (from Old English gull). Gulliver leapt into cultural consciousness through Jonathan Swift's 1726 satirical masterpiece 'Gulliver's Travels,' making it one of literature's most recognizable names. The name itself likely derives from the Old French 'goulu' (glutton) or may reference the gull seabird, creating an appropriately seafaring character name for a ship's surgeon who travels to fantastical lands. As a given name, Gulliver has seen a modern revival among parents who love literary names with a sense of adventure and whimsy, sitting comfortably alongside favorites like Oliver and Sebastian.
What is the origin of the name Gulliver?
Gulliver has Old French goulu, Old English gull, English, American, and Literary origins. In Old French goulu, it means "glutton". In Old English gull, it means "sea bird".
Is Gulliver a boy or girl name?
Gulliver is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Gulliver?
Gulliver is pronounced g-UHL-ihv-er.
How popular is the name Gulliver?
Gulliver is currently ranked #44489 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gulliver?
Common nicknames for Gulliver include Gully, Gull, and Gulliver.
What are good middle names for Gulliver?
Popular middle name pairings include Gulliver James, Gulliver William, Gulliver Thomas, Gulliver Henry, and Gulliver Edward.
What are good sibling names for Gulliver?
Names that pair well with Gulliver as siblings include Oliver, Sebastian, Phineas, Atticus, and Barnaby.
How many syllables does Gulliver have?
Gulliver has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Gulliver a common or rare name?
Gulliver is an uncommon name, ranked #44489 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Gulliver
Gulliver is a boy name with English, American, and Literary origins . The name means "glutton" in Old French goulu .
Gulliver is currently ranked #44,489 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Gulliver has 3 syllables and is pronounced g-UHL-ihv-er, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Gulliver include Gully, Gull, and Gulliver. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis