Ulysses
From Latin Ulyssēs, a frequent alternative form of Ulixēs (“Odysseus”), influenced by the Ancient Greek Ὀδυσσεύς (Odusseús).
Every Ulysses since 1880 — 18,680 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ulysses
Ulysses is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,201 in 2025 with 169 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 18,680 American babies have been named Ulysses. Its peak came in 1999, when 272 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ulysses stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ulysses year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 169 | #1,201 |
| 2024 | — | — | 152 | #1,294 |
| 2023 | — | — | 170 | #1,191 |
| 2022 | — | — | 191 | #1,118 |
| 2021 | — | — | 180 | #1,134 |
| 2020 | — | — | 188 | #1,068 |
| 2019 | — | — | 204 | #1,022 |
| 2018 | — | — | 170 | #1,138 |
| 2017 | — | — | 157 | #1,190 |
| 2016 | — | — | 144 | #1,273 |
| 2015 | — | — | 181 | #1,085 |
| 2014 | — | — | 173 | #1,109 |
| 2013 | — | — | 165 | #1,110 |
| 2012 | — | — | 167 | #1,110 |
| 2011 | — | — | 179 | #1,054 |
| 2010 | — | — | 183 | #1,055 |
| 2009 | — | — | 196 | #1,007 |
| 2008 | — | — | 191 | #1,011 |
| 2007 | — | — | 191 | #1,013 |
| 2006 | — | — | 178 | #1,032 |
| 2005 | — | — | 177 | #985 |
| 2004 | — | — | 155 | #1,048 |
| 2003 | — | — | 145 | #1,074 |
| 2002 | — | — | 208 | #815 |
| 2001 | — | — | 226 | #760 |
| 2000 | — | — | 217 | #769 |
| 1995 | — | — | 140 | #942 |
| 1990 | — | — | 184 | #752 |
| 1985 | — | — | 124 | #802 |
| 1980 | — | — | 121 | #799 |
| 1975 | — | — | 108 | #804 |
| 1970 | — | — | 110 | #787 |
| 1965 | — | — | 111 | #711 |
| 1960 | — | — | 150 | #638 |
| 1955 | — | — | 163 | #577 |
| 1950 | — | — | 168 | #517 |
| 1945 | — | — | 114 | #566 |
| 1940 | — | — | 154 | #467 |
| 1935 | — | — | 171 | #429 |
| 1930 | — | — | 148 | #489 |
| 1925 | — | — | 192 | #429 |
| 1920 | — | — | 190 | #440 |
| 1915 | — | — | 133 | #484 |
| 1910 | — | — | 43 | #413 |
| 1905 | — | — | 25 | #450 |
| 1900 | — | — | 34 | #384 |
| 1895 | — | — | 43 | #272 |
| 1890 | — | — | 32 | #310 |
| 1885 | — | — | 33 | #296 |
| 1880 | — | — | 29 | #317 |
Famous people named Ulysses
- Ulysses S. Grant Politician · 1822–1885
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ulysses mean?
From Latin Ulyssēs, a frequent alternative form of Ulixēs (“Odysseus”), influenced by the Ancient Greek Ὀδυσσεύς (Odusseús).
How popular is the name Ulysses in 2025?
Ulysses ranked #1,201 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 169 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ulysses?
18,680 babies have been named Ulysses in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ulysses most popular?
Ulysses peaked in 1999, when 272 newborns received the name.
Is Ulysses a boy or girl name?
Ulysses is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ulysses rising or falling?
Ulysses has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Ulysses?
Well-known people named Ulysses include Ulysses S. Grant (politician).