Sulay

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Sulay

Pronounced soo-LAY /suːˈleɪ/Medium

Meaning: Sulay is a name of uncertain origin in the American record. The most plausible thread is a West African (often Fula or Mandinka) form of Sulay, a short version of Suleiman — the Arabic form of Solomon, from a root meaning 'peace' and often glossed 'man of peace'. Its exact background here is not settled, and it may also be a modern coinage.Low

In 30 seconds: Sulay is an uncertain name, possibly a West African form of Suleiman ('man of peace') (said 'soo-LAY').

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Origin LowArabic

MeaningSulay is a name of uncertain origin in the American record. The most plausible thread is a West African (often Fula or Mandinka) form of Sulay, a short version of Suleiman — the Arabic form of Solomon, from a root meaning 'peace' and often glossed 'man of peace'. Its exact background here is not settled, and it may also be a modern coinage.

U.S. rank (2021)#15034 ↗ Rising

2021 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1979

Total births (all-time)≈ 71

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

Sulay is a name whose roots in the U.S. record are genuinely uncertain. The strongest candidate is a West African rendering of Sulay, a diminutive of Suleiman — the Arabic form of Solomon, from shalom-related roots meaning 'peace' — but the name may also be an independent modern coinage. We trace the likeliest thread rather than assert a single meaning.

It appears only faintly and sporadically, first noted around 1979 and reaching a slight high point that same year, with a long thin presence since. A Sulay in the U.S. may belong to a West African heritage family or simply carry a rare coined name; the record is too sparse to be certain.

Did you know? In parts of West Africa, Sulay serves as a familiar short form of Suleiman, the Arabic name for the wise King Solomon; whether every American Sulay traces to that source is unclear, so we flag the origin as open.

Overall data confidence 35%

References — Sulay — possible West African form of Suleiman; origin uncertain

Variations

SulaiSuleySulaye

Nicknames

SulaLay

Famous Bearers

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If you like Sulay…

Zulay— a similar short name ending in -ay

Suraya— another name of Arabic heritage and sound

Saray— shares the -ay ending and heritage feel

Layla— a familiar Arabic-rooted girl's name of comparable style

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Sulay mean?

Sulay is of uncertain origin, most plausibly a West African form of Sulay/Suleiman, the Arabic name tied to Solomon and 'peace'.

How do you pronounce Sulay?

It's said soo-LAY /suːˈleɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Sulay a boy or girl name?

Sulay is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Sulay?

Sulay has always been extremely rare in the U.S., a name of uncertain and scattered use.