Find out how popular the first name Mulan has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mulan by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Mulan is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 99% of people named Mulan being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 56 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mulan.

The history of the first name Mulan

The name Mulan originates from China and is a feminine name derived from the Chinese word "木蘭" (Mùlán), which means "wooden orchid" or "magnolia." The name has a rich historical and cultural significance in Chinese literature and folklore.

The name Mulan gained widespread recognition from the famous Chinese folk tale "The Ballad of Mulan," which dates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 CE). In the ballad, Mulan is a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her aging father's place in the army and defend the country against invaders. After serving honorably for twelve years, she returns home and resumes her life as a woman.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Mulan can be found in the "Music Bureau Collection" (Yuefu Shiji), a compilation of folk songs and poems from the Northern Wei Dynasty. The ballad is believed to have originated during the Northern Wei period or earlier, reflecting the cultural values of filial piety and courage.

Throughout history, the name Mulan has been associated with various notable figures, including Hua Mulan (around 6th century CE), the legendary female warrior who inspired the folk tale. Another notable figure was Qin Mulan (1513-1611), a poet and calligrapher during the Ming Dynasty.

Other historical figures with the name Mulan include:

1. Mulan Jingzhong (1570-1619), a Ming Dynasty official and scholar known for her literary works and calligraphy.
2. Mulan Xingdao (1624-1679), a Buddhist nun and poet during the Qing Dynasty.
3. Mulan Weiyuan (1609-1671), a Ming Dynasty scholar and official known for her expertise in the Confucian classics.
4. Mulan Zhuren (1761-1832), a Qing Dynasty scholar and writer who authored works on Confucian philosophy and literature.
5. Mulan Yuzhuo (1834-1901), a late Qing Dynasty scholar and official known for her contributions to education and women's rights.

The name Mulan has gained renewed popularity and recognition in modern times, largely due to the 1998 Disney animated film "Mulan," which was inspired by the ancient Chinese folk tale. The film's impact has introduced the name and its associated themes of courage and filial piety to a global audience.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mulan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mulan, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!