Ulysses, pronounced /ˈjuːlɪsiːz/, is of Greek origin and means "wrathful." It was borne by the hero of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," who traveled home after the Trojan War. In English-speaking countries, Ulysses has been used since the Middle Ages but fell out of fashion in the late 19th century. Today, it is still considered a rare and unique name choice for boys. Notable individuals named Ulysses include American writer James Joyce's modernist novel "Ulysses," French president François Mitterrand, and jazz musician Ulysses Kay.
The name Ulysess appears to have been quite popular between the years of 1912 and 2010, with a total of 463 births recorded over this period. The popularity fluctuated over time, with peaks in certain decades such as the 1920s (with a high of 15 births in 1926) and the late 1940s to early 1950s (with a high of 10 births in 1945). However, it seems that by the late 20th century and into the early 21st century, the name's popularity had significantly decreased, with no more than 8 births recorded in any given year after 1991.