Ulysses

The boys' name Ulysses (Ulyssēs) is a Latinized form of the Greek name Odysseus, whose roots are likely of Pre-Greek origin. The translation of the name is 'the Wrathful' or 'the Hating'.

What does the name Ulysses mean?

Ulysses (Ulyssēs) represents a Latinized variant of the name Odysseus and likely has its roots in Pre-Greek. The name is translated as 'the Wrathful' or 'the Hating'. It probably derives from the Ancient Greek term odýssomai (ὀδύσσομαι), which means 'to hate', 'to be angry', 'wrathful', and 'irritated'. In Greek mythology, Ulysses was the king of Ithaca and the inventor of the Trojan Horse. Homer's use of the name may have been influenced by a folk etymological connection to ὀδύσσομαι, meaning 'to be angry'. Other variants include Odyssee, Odysseas, Odissey, Odyssa, Ulysse, Ulisse, Ulises, and Ulixes.

Where does the name Ulysses come from?

The name Ulysses has its origins in Ancient Greek and means 'the Wrathful'. The Ancient Greek term odýssomai (ὀδύσσομαι) consists of the meanings hate, be angry, wrathful, and irritated. The name is common in both English and Latin.

How do you pronounce Ulysses?

The sound structure and pronunciation of Ulysses: The name Ulysses consists of three syllables and sounds fluid. It is pronounced as 'U-lys-ses' [uˈlʏsəs] or [juˈlɪsɪz], with a bright beginning followed by a gentle vowel sequence. The s-sound at the end gives the name a precise and elegant finish. Ulysses has a sonorous and historically charged aura – a name with a clear syllable structure, melodic breadth, and impressive presence.

Popularity

In Germany, Ulysses is a relatively rare first name. In 2023, it ranked 5,488th in the list of the most popular male first names. Its highest ranking was in 2016 at 1,880th. Over the last ten years, Ulysses has been used as a first name about 30 times, placing it 4,152nd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 3,698th.

Nicknames & pet names

Uli

Similar first names

Famous people

• Ivory Ulysses Sully, (American football player)
• Percival Ulysses Cox (character from Scrubs)
• Ulysses Belz (painter from Germany)
• Ulysses Burgh (Irish bishop)
• Ulysses Cuadra (American actor)
• Ulysses Davis (American film director)
• Ulysses Dove (American dancer)
• Ulysses Gomez (American martial artist)
• Ulysses Grant (former US President)
• Ulysses Grant Bourne (physicist from America)
• Ulysses Kay (composer from America)
• Ulysses Livingston (American jazz musician)
• Ulysses Norris (Georgian footballer)
• Ulysses Prentiss Hedrick (botanist from America)
• Ulysses Reed (American basketball player)
• Ulysses Ricci (artist from America)
• Ulysses S. Grant (American geologist)
• Ulysses Sherman Grant (American geologist)