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Doyle vs Sullivan

Which is more popular?
Sullivan is more popular than Doyle today: about 1,083 US babies were given the name Sullivan in 2025, compared with 0 named Doyle.
DoyleSullivan
Meaning dark stranger dark-eyed (disputed)
Origin irish irish
Gender Boy Boy
Pronunciation DOYL SUHL-ih-vuhn
Syllables 1 3
First appeared01884
Peak year1931 (667)2025 (1,083)
In 202501,083
TrendVintageNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Doyle Sullivan
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeDoyleSullivan
2020s 63 5,564
2010s 130 6,428
2000s 273 2,135
1990s 412 535
1980s 670 83
1970s 1,462 86
1960s 3,465 85
1950s 5,079 129
1940s 5,529 114
1930s 6,021 110
1920s 4,930 141
1910s 2,054 122
1900s 216 10
1890s 87 63
1880s 9 30

What does Doyle mean?

Anglicized from Irish O Dubhghaill, from 'dubh' meaning 'dark, black' and 'gall' meaning 'stranger, foreigner' — 'dark foreigner', a term historically applied to Viking settlers.

What does Sullivan mean?

Anglicized from Irish O Suilleabhain, from 'suil' meaning 'eye' plus a second element usually read as 'dubh' (dark/black), giving 'dark-eyed'. The second element is disputed; alternative readings give 'one-eyed' or 'hawk-eyed', so the 'dark' sense is probable rather than certain.

Frequently asked questions

Is Doyle or Sullivan more popular?

Sullivan is more popular than Doyle today: about 1,083 US babies were given the name Sullivan in 2025, compared with 0 named Doyle.

What is the difference between Doyle and Sullivan?

Doyle means dark stranger (irish origin), while Sullivan means dark-eyed (disputed) (irish origin).

Which name is older, Doyle or Sullivan?

In US records, Doyle first appears in 0 and Sullivan in 1884, so Doyle has the longer recorded history.