Ulan
A Mongolian masculine name meaning "rain" or "red".
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Ulan. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Ulan today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Ulan births was 1918 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Ulan. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Ulan. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1918
6 babies that year
Average age
-
1918 SSA rank
#4,134
Tracked since 1918
Popularity
Ulan: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Ulan by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Ulan during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Ulan
The name Ulan finds its origins in the Mongolian language and culture, with its earliest recorded use dating back to the 13th century during the Mongol Empire. The name is derived from the Mongolian word "ulan," which means "red" or "crimson," and was often associated with bravery, strength, and the color of fire.
In ancient Mongolian texts and historical records, Ulan was a name bestowed upon warriors and leaders who displayed exceptional courage and valor on the battlefield. One of the earliest known historical figures bearing this name was Ulan Khaid, a prominent general who served under Genghis Khan during the Mongol conquests in the early 13th century.
During the reign of Kublai Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan, another notable individual named Ulan Butugha rose to prominence as a skilled military commander and governor. Ulan Butugha played a crucial role in the Mongol invasions of Korea and Japan in the late 13th century.
In the 14th century, Ulan Idochi was a revered Buddhist monk and scholar who was renowned for his contributions to Mongolian literature and religious studies. His teachings and writings had a profound impact on the spiritual and cultural traditions of Mongolia.
Moving forward to the 16th century, Ulan Bator, a prominent leader and diplomat, was instrumental in fostering diplomatic relations between the Mongols and neighboring regions. His efforts helped establish peaceful trade routes and cultural exchanges, further enhancing the reputation of the name Ulan.
Ulan Khutugtu, born in 1835, was a highly respected spiritual leader and head of the Mongolian Buddhist clergy during the late 19th century. His influence extended beyond religious affairs, as he played a significant role in preserving Mongolian cultural heritage and advocating for the rights of the Mongolian people.
These are just a few examples of notable figures throughout history who bore the name Ulan, a name that has been deeply rooted in Mongolian culture and tradition for centuries, symbolizing strength, courage, and the vibrant hues of the Mongolian landscape.
People
Ulan + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Ulan as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with U
Other first names starting with U with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Ulan: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Ulan?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Ulan going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Ulan a common name?
We classify Ulan as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Ulan most popular?
The single biggest year for Ulan was 1918, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Ulan is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Ulan in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Ulan a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Ulan in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Ulan still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Ulan in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Ulan can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Ulan?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.