Sultan
Meaningruler, authority · Arabic
Sultan is an Arabic boy name meaning “ruler, authority”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Word funSultan doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- GenerationSultan is having its moment right now. Most Sultans are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Sultan would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 10,604 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistorySultan first shows up in US birth records in 1966, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 59 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Sultans? Head to Virginia, where it's the #525 boy name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million boys, 1966–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Sultan
Sultan is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “ruler, authority”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Sultan
What does the name Sultan mean?
Sultan means “ruler, authority” and comes from Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Sultan?
Sultan is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Sultan a boy or girl name?
Sultan is a boy name. In 2025, 161 US boys were named Sultan.
How popular is the name Sultan?
Sultan ranked #1,241 for US boys in 2025, given to 161 babies. That's its best rank ever: the name is at the height of its popularity right now. Over the last five years it has climbed 182 places.
What should I know before naming my baby Sultan?
Sultan is an Arabic boy name meaning “ruler, authority”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.