The invention discloses a nonlinear energy trap optimization design method for suppressing vortex-induced vibration in the technical field of nonlinear vibration, aiming to solve the technical problemthat in the prior art, due to unreasonable selection of nonlinear energy trap parameters, the nonlinear energy trap has an unsatisfactory cylinder vibration suppression effect. Based on the Van der Pol wake oscillator model and the Van der Pol equation, the nonlinear energy trap optimization design method establishes a cylinder vortex-induced vibration model under the action of the nonlinear energy trap, calculates a vortex-induced vibration response under a design working condition, combines the optimization algorithm with the cylinder vortex-induced vibration model, establishes an optimization design model of the nonlinear energy trap vibration damper, obtains nonlinear energy trap parameters meeting conditions, and takes the determined non-linear energy trap parameter as a real objectdesign target. According to the nonlinear energy trap optimization design method, nonlinear energy trap parameters meeting design requirements can be found more efficiently, and vortex-induced vibration of the cylinder is inhibited to the maximum extent.