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Sultan

โ™‚ Boy

Pronounced SUL-tan /หˆsสŒl.tษ™n/Low

Meaning: Power, authority, sovereign rulerLow

In 30 seconds: Sultan is the Arabic word for power and authority, used as a royal title for sovereigns across the Muslim world. As a given name it carries the aspiration of leadership, authority, and noble governance.
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Origin LowArabic
MeaningPower, authority, sovereign ruler
U.S. rank (2024)#1297 โ†— Rising
2024 U.S. births151 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)โ‰ˆ 2,234

Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data

peak 202419662024

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

History & Origin

Sultan derives from the Arabic root salta meaning power or authority. As a royal title it was used by rulers of many Muslim states from the 10th century onward. As a given name it carries aspirations of authority and leadership.

Sultan is used as a given name in Turkey, Central Asia, and across Muslim communities worldwide. In the United States it appears among families with Turkish, Arab, South Asian, and other Muslim backgrounds.

Did you know? The Ottoman Sultans ruled one of history's greatest empires for over 600 years (1299-1922), from Osman I to Mehmed VI. The title Sultan meant the supreme ruler of a Muslim state โ€” giving this name the weight of six centuries of imperial authority.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Sultan

Variations

SoltanSulten

Nicknames

SuliTan

Famous Bearers

  • โ˜…Sultan Kosen (1982-present)
    Turkish farmer who holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest living man

If you like Sultanโ€ฆ

Malikโ€” Arabic king name of same royal tradition
Amirโ€” Arabic prince/ruler name
Rashidโ€” Arabic righteous ruler name
Kaiserโ€” Germanic emperor name of same ruler tradition

Frequently Asked

What does Sultan mean?

Sultan means power and authority in Arabic, used as a title for sovereign rulers across the Muslim world.

Is Sultan a name or a title?

Sultan is both a royal title and a given name. As a title it was used by Ottoman and other Muslim rulers; as a name it carries their authoritative heritage.

How do you pronounce Sultan?

Sultan is pronounced SUL-tan with two syllables.

What names are similar to Sultan?

Similar royal names include Malik, Amir, and Rashid.