Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ulysses
BoyLatin, Greek· “Latin form of Odysseus; meaning uncertain”
- Meaning
- Latin form of Odysseus; meaning uncertain (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Latin, Greek
- Pronunciation
- yoo-LIH-seez
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,201
- US babies 2025
- 169
- Best rank
- #272 (1895)
- Peak year
- 1999
Meaning and origin of Ulysses
Ulysses is often said to mean “Latin form of Odysseus; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin and Greek roots.
Ulysses is the Latin form of Odysseus, the Greek hero of Homer's Odyssey who spent years sailing home from the Trojan War. The Latin form came from Ulixes, and the meaning of the Greek name is uncertain; ancient writers linked it to a verb meaning "to be angry at" or "to hate," but that connection is traditional rather than proven. The name has strong literary and historical echoes, from Tennyson's poem Ulysses to James Joyce's novel of the same name, and it was borne by President Ulysses S. Grant. Ulysses has a bold, adventurous character, and Uly can serve as a nickname.
Popularity over time
Ulysses has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 124 different years. Its best national rank was #272 in 1895, and the most babies received it in 1999, when 272 were named Ulysses. In 2025, 169 babies were named Ulysses, and it ranked #1,201 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #440 in 1920, #517 in 1950, #799 in 1980, #769 in 2000, #1,055 in 2010, and #1,201 in 2025. Of the 18,655 US boys named Ulysses since records began, 10% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 1,839 babies. Since 2010, 2,773 more have been named Ulysses.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jovan, Latrell, Marquez, Stone, and Quinten.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ulysses ranked highest in Nevada, California, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | #593 | 5 |
| California | #642 | 44 |
| Arizona | #670 | 10 |
| Utah | #697 | 6 |
| Washington | #987 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ulysses is usually pronounced yoo-LIH-seez, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with U and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Ulysses
A few middle names that flow with Ulysses: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ulysses
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Lists that include Ulysses
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ulysses mean?
Ulysses is often said to mean “Latin form of Odysseus; meaning uncertain”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Latin and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Ulysses?
Ulysses has Latin and Greek roots. Ulysses is the Latin form of Odysseus, the Greek hero of Homer's Odyssey who spent years sailing home from the Trojan War.
Is Ulysses a popular name?
Not especially. Ulysses ranked #1,201 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ulysses a boy or girl name?
Ulysses is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ulysses?
Ulysses is usually pronounced yoo-LIH-seez. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings