"people mighty, powerful nation"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Tully
Pronunciation: [ t-UHL-ee ]
Does Tully flow with your last name?
An Irish charmer with ancient roots and modern playfulness
Irish
American
Scottish
Playful
Vintage
Earthy
Whimsical
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"from Tullius (Latin family name)"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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The Story of Tully
Tully derives from the Irish surname Tuathal (from the Gaelic 'tuath' meaning people or territory, and 'al' meaning mighty or powerful) — giving the combined meaning of mighty people or people's ruler. As an anglicization of the Irish Ó Tuathail (O'Toole), Tully became both a surname and a given name. The name is also associated with Tully in the Latin tradition, as a shortened form of Marcus Tullius Cicero's praenomen, giving it an unexpected Roman literary resonance.
Tully has gained momentum as parents seek vintage Irish names with playful sounds. The 2018 film Tully (starring Charlize Theron) introduced the name to a new generation of parents, framing it as a name that feels both classic and unexpectedly fresh.
In Irish tradition, Tuathal the Acceptable was a legendary High King of Ireland, making this a name with ancient noble associations. Tully Cross and Tullymore are place names scattered across Ireland, grounding it in Irish geography and heritage.
Historical Record
Tully first appeared in US Social Security records in 1996.
Over 178 babies have been named Tully in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Tully is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,933 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Tully is derived from the same Irish root as the O'Toole (Ó Tuathail) surname
- Marcus Tullius Cicero's nickname Tully was widely used by English scholars for centuries
- The 2018 film Tully starring Charlize Theron introduced the name to many American parents
Tully in Other Languages
Irish
Tuathal
Latin
Tullius
Spanish
Tully
Scottish Gaelic
Tully
Popularity Over Time
#3,933
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Tully
T
Tully Hansen
Athlete
Australian professional surfer and swimwear model known for competitive surfing
T
Tully (film character) Fictional
Other
Title character of the 2018 film Tully directed by Jason Reitman, a spirited night nanny played by Mackenzie Davis
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,933
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Tull
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Tully
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Tully is also used as a boy name, ranked #15133.
View Tully as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Tully
What does the name Tully mean?
"people mighty, powerful nation" (from Irish Gaelic). "from Tullius (Latin family name)" (from Latin). Tully derives from the Irish surname Tuathal (from the Gaelic 'tuath' meaning people or territory, and 'al' meaning mighty or powerful) — giving the combined meaning of mighty people or people's ruler. As an anglicization of the Irish Ó Tuathail (O'Toole), Tully became both a surname and a given name. The name is also associated with Tully in the Latin tradition, as a shortened form of Marcus Tullius Cicero's praenomen, giving it an unexpected Roman literary resonance.
What is the origin of the name Tully?
Tully has Irish Gaelic, Latin, Irish, American, and Scottish origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "people mighty, powerful nation". In Latin, it means "from Tullius (Latin family name)".
Is Tully a boy or girl name?
Tully is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3933. As a boy name, it is ranked #15133. Tully is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Tully?
Tully is pronounced t-UHL-ee.
How popular is the name Tully?
Tully is currently ranked #3933 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Tully?
Common nicknames for Tully include Tull.
What are good middle names for Tully?
Popular middle name pairings include Tully Rose, Tully Mae, Tully Ann, Tully Jane, Tully Faye, Tully Grace, and Tully Dawn.
What are good sibling names for Tully?
Names that pair well with Tully as siblings include Molly, Calla, Brinn, Fergus, Callum, Ronan, and Fiona.
How many syllables does Tully have?
Tully has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Tully a common or rare name?
Tully is an uncommon name, ranked #3933 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Tully
Tully is a girl name with Irish, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "people mighty, powerful nation" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Tully a boy or girl name? Tully is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,933 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,133. Tully is more commonly used as a girl name.
Tully is currently ranked #3,933 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Tully has 2 syllables and is pronounced t-UHL-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Tully include Tull. 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