Ulysses is a male given name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Odysseus, which means "angry" or "troubled." According to Greek mythology, Odysseus was a hero who fought in the Trojan War and later embarked on a ten-year journey homeward after the war ended.
The name Ulysses gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages due to the French translation of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," which tells the story of Odysseus' journey. It was also popular among European nobility, with several notable figures bearing the name, including Ulysses III, Duke of Burgundy.
In literature, Ulysses is the title character of James Joyce's novel "Ulysses," published in 1922. The novel follows a day in the life of its protagonist Leopold Bloom as he wanders around Dublin, with various events and characters paralleling those from Homer's epic poem.
Today, Ulysses remains a unique and distinctive name, often associated with intelligence, wit, and adventurous spirit due to its namesake hero Odysseus. Despite its ancient origins, the name continues to be chosen by parents for their sons, carrying with it a rich history and cultural significance.
The name Ulysses has been a rare but consistent choice for parents in the United States over the past century. Between 1908 and 2020, there have been a total of 250 births registered with the name Ulysses.
The popularity of the name Ulysses peaked during the early 1920s, with a high of 15 births in both 1922 and 1924. However, it's important to note that these numbers are still quite low compared to other names from that era.
Throughout most of the 20th century, the name Ulysses was consistently given to around 5-7 newborn boys each year in the United States. There were a few notable spikes during the 1930s and early 1940s, but for the most part, the name has maintained a steady level of popularity.
Interestingly, the name Ulysses experienced a small resurgence in recent years, with 5 births recorded each year between 2011 and 2020. This suggests that while it may not be one of the most popular names on the charts, there is still a consistent group of parents who choose Ulysses for their sons.
Overall, these statistics show that while the name Ulysses has never been extremely popular in the United States, it has maintained a steady level of popularity over the past century. Parents continue to choose this unique and historical name for their children today.