Sunil
From Sanskrit सुनील (sunīla, “very black or blue, dark”); ultimately from सु (su) + नील (nīla).
Every Sunil since 1962 — 989 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sunil
Sunil is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1962, 989 American babies have been named Sunil. Its peak came in 1979, when 42 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Sunil stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sunil year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 6 | #11,952 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | 6 | #11,957 |
| 2015 | 6 | #11,900 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 10 | #8,060 |
| 2011 | 6 | #12,078 |
| 2010 | 7 | #10,610 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8,229 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10,891 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9,658 |
| 2006 | 8 | #9,457 |
| 2005 | 6 | #11,286 |
| 2004 | 7 | #9,805 |
| 2003 | 10 | #7,176 |
| 2002 | 8 | #8,342 |
| 2001 | 16 | #4,860 |
| 2000 | 15 | #5,008 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6,898 |
| 1990 | 12 | #4,640 |
| 1985 | 21 | #2,492 |
| 1980 | 32 | #1,802 |
| 1975 | 33 | #1,589 |
| 1970 | 19 | #2,116 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3,883 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Sunil
- Sunil Dutt Actor · 1929–2005
- Sunil Mittal Businessperson · b. 1957
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sunil mean?
From Sanskrit सुनील (sunīla, “very black or blue, dark”); ultimately from सु (su) + नील (nīla).
How popular is the name Sunil in 2025?
Sunil did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Sunil?
989 babies have been named Sunil in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sunil most popular?
Sunil peaked in 1979, when 42 newborns received the name.
Is Sunil a boy or girl name?
Sunil is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sunil rising or falling?
Sunil is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sunil?
Well-known people named Sunil include Sunil Dutt (actor), Sunil Mittal (businessperson).