Boy Name
Ulysses
Ulysses means “Odysseus”. It is used as a boy's name across several naming traditions, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Ulysses — a boy name — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Odysseus", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Ulises is on your shortlist, Ulysses belongs in the same conversation.
Ulysses meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Odysseus
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Ulysses as U·L·Y·S·S·E·S, with 7 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Ulysses is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Ulysses variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Ulyssesa, Ulyssese, Ulyssesy, Ulysse.
- Nicknames: Ulys and U.
- Middle names: Pair Ulysses with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Ulysses middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Ulises, Ulysees, Ulyses, Ulysess, Ulysee — full picks on the sibling names for Ulysses guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Ulysses? Browse our names like Ulysses guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Ulysses
What does the name Ulysses mean?
Ulysses means "Odysseus". The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Ulysses is used as a boy name.
What is the origin of Ulysses?
The exact origin of Ulysses is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce Ulysses?
Ulysses has 7 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Ulysses a boy's or girl's name?
Ulysses is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Ulysses in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Ulysses sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Ulysses?
Names that share Ulysses's sound and style include Ulises, Ulysees, Ulyses, Ulysess, Ulysee.
What middle names pair well with Ulysses?
Good middle-name fits for Ulysses pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Ulysses is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Ulysses is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Ulysses?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Ulysses share its rhythm without rhyming — Ulises, Ulysees, Ulyses all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.