At a glance
- In short
- Ulisses, a Portuguese variant of Ulysses from ancient Greek mythology, conjures the legendary hero whose cunning mind guided him through odysseys of stormy seas and mythical tribulations.
- U.S. rank 2025
- #5,608 of boy names (outside the top 1,000)
- Babies in 2025
- 16 (<0.01% of boys)
- Trend
- Steady #5,699 in 2020 to #5,608 in 2025
- Peak
- #1,593 in 1999
- First recorded
- 1971
Meaning of Ulisses
Ulisses, a Portuguese variant of Ulysses from ancient Greek mythology, conjures the legendary hero whose cunning mind guided him through odysseys of stormy seas and mythical tribulations. The name’s soft oo-LEE-sis (/uˈlisiz/) cadence in Portuguese and its poised yoo-LISS-eez (/juˈlɪsiz/) rendition in English both carry an elegance that resonates as gently and persistently as the monsoon’s first raindrops on parched earth. For Indian parents, Ulisses strikes a meaningful chord—a harmonious blend of classical valor reminiscent of Arjuna’s sense of dharma and the lyrical richness found in Sanskrit verse. Though it has quietly hovered around the 900s in American rankings, this name offers a distinctive alternative to more familiar choices, imbuing its bearer with qualities of resilience, strategic wit, and an adventurous spirit. And while he may not duel sea monsters at every Diwali celebration, he is certain to navigate sibling rivalries or the hunt for the last samosa with equal flair, making Ulisses both timeless and warmly charming.
How to pronounce Ulisses
English
- Pronounced yoo-LISS-eez /juˈlɪsiz/
Portuguese
- Pronounced oo-LEE-sis /uˈlisiz/
Popularity of Ulisses in the U.S.
Ulisses was the #5,608 boy name in the U.S. in 2025, with 16 babies. It peaked at #1,593 in 1999. It first appears in the records in 1971.
- Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
Year-by-year table, 1971–2025 50 rows
| Year | Babies | Rank | vs previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 5,608 | ▲ 296 |
| 2024 | 15 | 5,904 | ▲ 993 |
| 2023 | 12 | 6,897 | ▼ 1,878 |
| 2022 | 19 | 5,019 | ▼ 525 |
| 2021 | 22 | 4,494 | ▲ 1,205 |
| 2020 | 15 | 5,699 | ▲ 2,516 |
| 2019 | 9 | 8,215 | ▼ 2,445 |
| 2018 | 15 | 5,770 | ▲ 18 |
| 2017 | 15 | 5,788 | ▼ 664 |
| 2016 | 18 | 5,124 | ▼ 1,242 |
| 2015 | 27 | 3,882 | ▲ 132 |
| 2014 | 25 | 4,014 | ▲ 50 |
| 2013 | 24 | 4,064 | ▼ 534 |
| 2012 | 30 | 3,530 | ▲ 580 |
| 2011 | 24 | 4,110 | ▼ 1,531 |
| 2010 | 47 | 2,579 | ▼ 544 |
| 2009 | 68 | 2,035 | ▲ 597 |
| 2008 | 47 | 2,632 | ▼ 190 |
| 2007 | 52 | 2,442 | ▲ 179 |
| 2006 | 45 | 2,621 | ▲ 80 |
| 2005 | 40 | 2,701 | ▼ 102 |
| 2004 | 41 | 2,599 | ▼ 171 |
| 2003 | 43 | 2,428 | ▼ 303 |
| 2002 | 50 | 2,125 | ▼ 232 |
| 2001 | 58 | 1,893 | ▼ 94 |
| 2000 | 60 | 1,799 | ▼ 206 |
| 1999 | 68 | 1,593 | ▲ 642 |
| 1998 | 40 | 2,235 | ▲ 161 |
| 1997 | 34 | 2,396 | ▲ 351 |
| 1996 | 27 | 2,747 | ▼ 121 |
| 1995 | 28 | 2,626 | ▲ 325 |
| 1994 | 24 | 2,951 | ▲ 91 |
| 1993 | 22 | 3,042 | ▼ 443 |
| 1992 | 27 | 2,599 | ▼ 409 |
| 1991 | 33 | 2,190 | ▲ 590 |
| 1990 | 23 | 2,780 | ▲ 209 |
| 1989 | 20 | 2,989 | ▼ 480 |
| 1988 | 23 | 2,509 | ▲ 329 |
| 1987 | 18 | 2,838 | ▼ 409 |
| 1986 | 22 | 2,429 | ▲ 1,170 |
| 1985 | 12 | 3,599 | ▲ 2,716 |
| 1984 | 5 | 6,315 | ▼ 2,174 |
| 1983 | 9 | 4,141 | ▲ 1,479 |
| 1982 | 6 | 5,620 | ▼ 1,111 |
| 1981 | 8 | 4,509 | ▲ 1,016 |
| 1980 | 6 | 5,525 | ▲ 531 |
| 1979 | 5 | 6,056 | back (not recorded in 1977–1978) |
| 1976 | 5 | 5,587 | back (not recorded in 1974–1975) |
| 1973 | 5 | 5,101 | back (not recorded in 1972) |
| 1971 | 5 | 4,907 | new |
Notable people named Ulisses
- Ulisses Soares is a Brazilian religious leader and the first South American apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Ulisses Rocha de Oliveira, known as Ulisses, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Anadia in Portugal.