Find out how popular the first name Ulises has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ulises by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ulises is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Ulises being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 221 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ulises.

The history of the first name Ulises

The name Ulises is the Spanish form of the ancient Greek name Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. The name is derived from the Greek word "odyssasthai," meaning "to suffer" or "to be hate," which is fitting given the trials and tribulations that Odysseus endured during his long journey home from the Trojan War.

The Odyssey, believed to have been composed around the 8th century BCE, is one of the earliest and most influential works of Western literature. Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, is portrayed as a cunning and resourceful warrior who faces numerous obstacles and perils on his voyage back to his homeland after the fall of Troy.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Ulises can be found in the works of the Spanish playwright and poet Lope de Vega (1562-1635), who used the name for a character in his play "La Circe" (The Circe). This play was inspired by the episodes in the Odyssey where Odysseus encounters the sorceress Circe.

In the 17th century, the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) immortalized the name in his literary masterpiece "Don Quixote." One of the supporting characters, a footman, is named Ulises.

During the Renaissance, the name Ulises gained popularity in Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain, as the classical texts of ancient Greece and Rome were rediscovered and celebrated. In literature, Ulises appeared in the works of Italian poet Torquato Tasso (1544-1595) and Spanish playwright Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681).

The name Ulises has been borne by several notable historical figures, including the Austro-Hungarian nobleman and statesman Ulises Schrattenbach (1643-1701), the Spanish military leader Ulises Espaillat (1823-1878), and the Mexican revolutionary Ulises García Ruiz (1901-1980).

In the 20th century, the name gained further prominence with the publication of James Joyce's landmark novel "Ulysses" (1922), which draws inspiration from the Odyssey and follows the adventures of its protagonist, Leopold Bloom, over the course of a single day in Dublin.

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 Ulises was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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