Find out how popular the first name Sunni has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Sunni by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Sunni is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Sunni being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 123 female babies and 11 male babies born with the name Sunni.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 11 baby boys were named Sunni in 2024, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Sunni

The name Sunni traces its origins to the Arabic word "Sunnah," which refers to the traditions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad. It is derived from the root word "sanna," meaning "to establish a precedent or a way of life." The name Sunni is closely associated with Sunni Islam, one of the two major branches of Islam, alongside Shia Islam.

The earliest recorded use of the name Sunni can be found in the historical accounts of the early Islamic period, particularly in the context of the division between the Sunni and Shia communities after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The Sunnis followed the teachings and traditions of the Prophet as recorded in the Sunnah, while the Shias believed in the spiritual and political leadership of Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law.

One of the earliest and most famous individuals with the name Sunni was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (573-634 CE), who was the first caliph of the Sunni Islamic caliphate after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. He is revered by Sunnis as one of the most influential figures in early Islamic history and is known for his close companionship with the Prophet.

Another notable figure in Sunni Islam was Al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE), a renowned Islamic philosopher, theologian, and mystic. His magnum opus, "The Revival of the Religious Sciences," is considered a seminal work in Sunni Islamic thought and has had a profound impact on the development of Islamic jurisprudence and spirituality.

In the modern era, one of the most well-known individuals with the name Sunni was Sunni Ali Ber (1943-2015), a renowned artist and painter from Pakistan. She was celebrated for her vibrant and colorful depictions of traditional Pakistani life and culture, and her works were exhibited internationally.

Another notable figure was Sunni Khalid (1932-2012), a Pakistani journalist and human rights activist. He was a vocal advocate for press freedom and played a crucial role in exposing human rights violations during the military dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s.

Sunni Wilson (born 1978) is a contemporary American musician and singer-songwriter. She is known for her soulful and genre-blending music, which incorporates elements of R&B, pop, and jazz. Her album "Ray of Light" received critical acclaim and earned her a dedicated following.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Sunni was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sunni, please contact us.

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