Sullivan-first or surname of a Saint or Blessed?

[amhvdh]

I came across this forum as I was searching the web for information that would make me comfortable choosing ‘Sullivan’ as a name for our baby boy who is due in 6 weeks. A book of saints’ names published by Tan lists many saints’ surnames as acceptable names (eg. St. Gerard Majella ) and I was wondering if any of you know of a saint or blessed whose first or surname is ‘Sullivan’. I know of many outstanding Catholic clergy and laymen with the surname Sullivan but I can’t find one whose first name is Sullivan, even though this name is definitely listed in baby name books. Many boys’ names can be either first or surnames, and for some reason or another we are really drawn to Sullivan. But I would feel so much better about it if I could link it to a saint or blessed! The full name would be 'Sullivan Johan Joseph" a brother to William Ian Joseph and Anna Maria Helena. Thank you for any helpful info!:angel1:

 

[FairyMagdelaine]

Sorry, unaware of any St. Sullivans. I always thought that Last Name as First Name was kind of a Protestant thing to do. But it looks like you picked a primarily Catholic last name, so that’s a start.

 

[Grayton]

There is a Jesuit priest named John Sullivan whose cause for canonization is underway. The Church calls him “Servant of God”, which is the title to use before one can be called “venerable” (then “blessed”, then “Saint.”) You can read about him at:

castletown.com/Fr_John2.htm

and you can read about his process of canonization at:

iol.ie/~readout/ptljc.n

There is a Saint Levan who was also known as “Selyr” He was a missionary to Cornwall in the Sixth Century. His traditional feastday was June 8. I imagine that a saint who is called either “Selyr” or “Levan” could be invoked to be patron of a child named “Sullivan” (Selyr-van or “Sel-Levn”)

Names can be translated very liberally from language to language. A good example is the name “Karen” which is dervied from “Catherine.” St. Catherine of Sweden is also known as “St. Karen” Under that principal, you might consider some close-sounding names as being the patrons of Sullivan. Two examples are (1) St. Sylvanus, a martyr who died in the persecution of Emperor Diocletian in 304 A. D. He was remembered traditionally on Feb. 20, the “Feast of Sts. Tyrannio and Sylvanus”; and (2) a local Detroit favorite, Blessed Solanus Casey. I suspect either of them would be happy to give their blessings to a boy named Sullivan. You can find names like this at an index of saints:

catholic.org/saints/stindex.php?lst=S

May God bless you and your family.

 

[bluerose]

You’ve no doubt heard of “The Fighting Sullivans” after whom the military’s “Sullivan Law” is named? Five brothers (Catholic, I believe) joined the Navy and served aboard a ship that was sunk during WWII (that’s the general gist of it… it’s been years since I’ve seen the movie!) Anyhow, their mother always said that it was like the boys to go everywhere and do everything together, and because they all stuck together and refused to leave any of their brothers behind, they all perished. Therefore, the “Sullivan law” doesn’t permit siblings (or maybe it’s any family members) from serving in the same military units or aboard the same ship.

My mother-in-law always cried during that movie because it reminded her of HER five sons. Not that the Sullivan brothers were martyrs for the faith or anything, but they were a beautiful example of brotherly love and family ties that is so sorely needed in this “it’s all about me” society.

So I don’t think it would be a bad thing to name your son Sullivan… unless you object to the strong possibility of his acquiring the nickname “Sully” along the line.

BlueRose

 

[amhvdh]

I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Grayton, bluerose and FairyMagdelaine, for responding to my request for information on the name ‘Sullivan’. I am now much more inclined to commit to that name for our baby boy than I was before. Thank you Grayton, for the very interesting profile of a most inspirational servant of God. That, in and of itself, was a wonderful reward for the time I have spent researching the name Sullivan.
May God Bless you all!