Ulysses
Ulysses: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /juːˈlɪ.siːz/ · /ˈjuːlɪ.siːz/
Meaning and origin of Ulysses
Root meaning: “Odysseus”
- A male given name.
Etymology
From Latin Ulyssēs, a frequent alternative form of Ulixēs (“Odysseus”), influenced by the Ancient Greek Ὀδυσσεύς (Odusseús). Doublet of Odysseus.
How popular is Ulysses?
Since 1880, 25 girls and 18,655 boys in the U.S. have been named Ulysses (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4808 in 1933. Its highest rank for boys was #272 in 1895. In 2025, 169 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Ulysses
Sister and brother names that share Ulysses's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Ulysses FAQ
What does the name Ulysses mean?
Ulysses traces back to a root meaning "Odysseus". A male given name. From Latin Ulyssēs, a frequent alternative form of Ulixēs (“Odysseus”), influenced by the Ancient Greek Ὀδυσσεύς (Odusseús). Doublet of Odysseus.
What is the origin of the name Ulysses?
Ulysses is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Ulysses?
Since 1880, 25 girls and 18,655 boys in the U.S. have been named Ulysses (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #4808 in 1933. Its highest rank for boys was #272 in 1895. In 2025, 169 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Ulysses a boy or girl name?
Ulysses is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 25 girls and 18,655 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.