Find out how popular the first name Ulrike has been for the last 1 years (from 1978 to 1978) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ulrike by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Ulrike is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1978, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ulrike.

The history of the first name Ulrike

The name Ulrike has its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically Old High German and Old Norse. It is a feminine form of the name Ulric, which is derived from the Proto-Germanic elements "ūlf" meaning "wolf" and "rīk" meaning "ruler" or "power." The name can be traced back to the 8th century AD, when it was used among Germanic tribes in what is now modern-day Germany and Scandinavia.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ulrike can be found in the Codex Traditionum Corbeiensium, a medieval cartulary from the Benedictine abbey of Corvey in present-day North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The document, dated around the 9th century, mentions an individual named Ulrica who donated land to the abbey.

In the 11th century, the name gained prominence with Ulrike of Sweden, also known as Ulrica, who was a Swedish princess and Queen of Denmark as the wife of King Sweyn II Estridsson. She lived from around 1025 to 1093 and played a significant role in the political affairs of Denmark and Sweden during her lifetime.

Another notable historical figure with the name Ulrike was Ulrike Eleonora of Denmark, a Swedish queen consort who lived from 1656 to 1693. She was the daughter of King Frederick III of Denmark and married King Charles XI of Sweden, becoming an influential figure in the Swedish court.

In the 18th century, Ulrike Luise of Prussia, also known as Louise Ulrique, was a Swedish queen consort who lived from 1720 to 1782. She was the wife of King Adolf Frederick of Sweden and played a role in the cultural and intellectual life of the Swedish court, promoting the arts and sciences.

Ulrike Meinhof, a German left-wing militant and co-founder of the Red Army Faction, was another notable figure with this name. She lived from 1934 to 1976 and was a prominent figure in the West German student protest movement of the 1960s before turning to urban guerrilla warfare.

While the name Ulrike has its roots in Germanic languages, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and regions over time, particularly in Northern and Central Europe. Its popularity has fluctuated throughout history, but it continues to be a recognizable and respected name with a rich cultural heritage.

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

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

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