Ulysses
How to say it: yoo-LISS-eez · /juˈlɪsiz/
Latinized form of Odysseus; Greek meaning uncertain, possibly 'wrathful'; hero of Homer's Odyssey.
Ulysses was the 614th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 169 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1890s, its births are steady over ten years, and it is projected to slip to #668 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #614 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 169 |
| Share of births | 1 in 7,800 |
| Peak decade | 1890s |
| Change over 10 years | −2% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #668 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long past its high in the 1890s, Ulysses remains in steady use. Standing well below peak, it will likely ease lower over the near term.
What goes with it
Breezy yet strong, with mythic weight and soft rushing sounds. Leander makes a kindred companion.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Ulysses is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Greek.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Ulysses
- Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885)President of the United States from 1869 to 1877
- Ulysses Llanez (born 2001)American soccer player
- Ulysses Guimarães (1916–1992)Brazilian politician and lawyer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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