The first name Cullen
A boy’s name.
Pronounced /ˈkʌlən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
From Scottish Gaelic cuilinn.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 7 boys were named Cullen, making it the 2,952nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 20 births (#1,270).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Cullen with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Cullen at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 194 boys born in the United States were named Cullen, the 1,108th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2010, when 679 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Cullen
6 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- William Cullen BryantAmerican romantic poet and journalist (1794-1878)
- Cullen JonesAmerican swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, world champion, former world record-holder, born 1984
- Cullen MossAmerican actor, born 1981
- Cullen LandisAmerican actor, director (1896–1975)
- Cullen DouglasAmerican actor and screenwriter, born 1969
- Patrick PinneyAmerican actor, born 1952
Questions
- What does the name Cullen mean?
- From Scottish Gaelic cuilinn.
- How popular is the name Cullen?
- In 2025, 7 boys born in England and Wales were named Cullen, ranking 2,952nd. Its peak was 2012, with 20 births.
- Is Cullen a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 16,703 US babies named Cullen since 1880 were boys.
- When was Cullen most popular?
- 2010 in the United States, when 679 babies were named Cullen, its highest rank at 413th.
- How do you pronounce Cullen?
- Cullen is /ˈkʌlən/, 2 syllables.
- Is Cullen also a surname?
- Yes. Cullen is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.