Sully

The Meaning & Origin of the Name Sully

Gender Unisex
Origin Celtic
Letters 5
Syllables 2
Pronunciation SULL-ee

Sully, which has 5 letters and 2 syllables, is a unisex name of Celtic origin.

Meaning of Sully

Dark-eyed

The name Sully is derived from the Old French surname Soulei or Souley, which is derived from the Latin sollemnia, meaning “solemn” or “serious.” It is also a short form of the Irish surname O’Sullivan, which means “descendant of the dark one.”

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Meaning Dark-eyed
Origin Celtic
Gender Unisex
Rarity (US) Rare (Not in top 1000)

Background & History of The Name Sully

The name 'Sully' originates from the given name 'Sullivan', which is of Irish and Gaelic descent. It is primarily used as a surname, but has gained popularity as a given name in recent years. The name 'Sullivan' is derived from the Gaelic words 'sùileabhàn' or 'súile Ódháin', meaning 'one-eyed' or 'hawk-eyed'. Historically, the name was often given to individuals with sharp or keen eyesight.

In popular culture, the name 'Sully' gained significant recognition through the character Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, an American airline pilot who successfully executed the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009. His bravery and skill in saving all 155 passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft made him a national hero. The incident was later depicted in the film 'Sully', directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks.

The name 'Sully' has also been associated with other notable individuals, such as the French painter Thomas Gainsborough, whose full name was Thomas Gainsborough Sully. Gainsborough was known for his portraits and landscapes during the 18th century. Additionally, Sully is the name of a famous character from the Pixar animated film 'Monsters, Inc.' and its sequel 'Monsters University'. Played by John Goodman, Sully is one of the main characters, a kind-hearted monster who works in the scream-processing factory.

Overall, the name 'Sully' carries a sense of strength, heroism, and artistic excellence. Its historical and cultural significance, along with its association with remarkable individuals and fictional characters, contribute to its attractiveness as both a surname and a given name.

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