Cully

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Cully

Pronounced KUL-ee /ˈkʌl.i/High

Meaning: Most plausibly a short form of Cullen (an Irish surname, from Ó Cuilinn, 'holly') or a surname used as a first name; a familiar, informal boys' name rather than one with a single fixed root.Low

In 30 seconds: Cully is a friendly nickname-name, most often short for Cullen — an Irish surname tied to holly (said 'KUL-ee').

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Origin LowEnglish, Irish

MeaningMost plausibly a short form of Cullen (an Irish surname, from Ó Cuilinn, 'holly') or a surname used as a first name; a familiar, informal boys' name rather than one with a single fixed root.

U.S. rank (2020)#9776 ↗ Rising

2020 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1960

Total births (all-time)≈ 250

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cully reads as a nickname-name, most likely a short form of Cullen — an Irish surname from Ó Cuilinn, linked to cuileann, 'holly' — or simply a surname pressed into service as a first name. Its warmth is in the sound; the exact route is uncertain, so we frame it that way.

Cully stayed very rare, appearing in small numbers from mid-century on. It reads as an informal, folksy boys' name of its era, distinctive rather than trend-driven.

Did you know? Cully has the easy, informal ring of a mid-century boys' nickname, the same feel as Buddy or Sonny.

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Cully / Cullen — short form of Cullen or surname; route uncertain

Variations

CullenCulleyCullie

Nicknames

Cull

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cully…

Cullen— the likely parent name Cully shortens

Curtis— a like friendly two-beat boys name

Dudley— another cozy -ey/-y surname-name

Wesley— shares the easygoing -ey/-y ending

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By themeuncertain vintage nickname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cully mean?

Cully is most often a short form of Cullen, an Irish surname linked to 'holly'; the exact route is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Cully?

It's said KUL-ee /ˈkʌl.i/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cully a boy or girl name?

Cully has been used mainly as a boy's name in the U.S.

How popular is Cully?

Cully has always been very rare, given to only a handful of boys a year.