Ulis
Uncommon name of unknown origin and obscure meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 43 living Americans carry the first name Ulis. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Ulis today is around 80 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Ulis births was 1927 (18 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Ulis. 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
- • The typical person named Ulis is about 80 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Ulis' were born before 1956.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Ulis. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
43
~ 1 in 7,971,031 Americans
Peak year
1927
18 babies that year
Average age
80
years old
1970 SSA rank
#5,392
Tracked since 1910
Popularity
Ulis: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Ulis from the 1910s through to the 1970s, spanning 7 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 106 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ulis 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 Ulis during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Ulis
The name Ulis is believed to have originated from ancient Germanic roots, dating back to the early medieval period. It is thought to be derived from the Old High German word "uolih," which means "wolf." The name was particularly popular among the tribes that inhabited the regions of modern-day Germany and Austria.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ulis appears in the Nibelungenlied, a famous German epic poem from around the 13th century. In this literary work, Ulis is mentioned as a brave warrior and companion of the legendary hero Siegfried. This early reference suggests that the name was already in use during the High Middle Ages.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ulis. One of the earliest was Ulis von Liechtenstein (1180-1227), a prominent German nobleman and minnesinger (a medieval German lyric poet). He is renowned for his courtly love songs and his participation in the Crusades.
Another historical figure was Ulis Stechele (1368-1442), a Swiss military leader who fought in the Battle of Sempach against the Habsburgs in 1386. His bravery and leadership during this pivotal conflict earned him a place in Swiss history.
In the 15th century, Ulis Danner (1420-1489) was a renowned German painter and woodcarver from Nuremberg. His intricate works, including altarpieces and sculptures, can still be seen in various churches and museums across Germany.
Fast-forwarding to the 19th century, Ulis Bräker (1835-1919) was a Swiss politician and statesman who served as the President of the Swiss Confederation in 1897. He played a crucial role in shaping Switzerland's political landscape during his tenure.
Another notable figure was Ulis Gerholt (1876-1948), a German journalist and author who wrote extensively on social and political issues. His works provided valuable insights into the turbulent times of the early 20th century.
While the name Ulis may not be as common today as it once was, its rich historical significance and connection to various cultures and individuals make it a fascinating part of our onomastic heritage.
People
Ulis + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Ulis 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
Ulis: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Ulis?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 43 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Ulis 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 1 in 7,971,031 US residents.
Is Ulis a common name?
We classify Ulis as "Very Rare". It ranks above 52.1% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 256 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Ulis most popular?
The single biggest year for Ulis was 1927, when 18 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Ulis is about 80 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Ulis a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Ulis 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.
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.