Find out how popular the first name Yul has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Yul by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Yul is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Yul.

The history of the first name Yul

The name Yul is believed to have its origins in the Korean language. It is a variation of the more common Korean name Yulyeol, which means "universe" or "cosmos" in English. The name is thought to have first emerged during the Goryeo dynasty, which ruled the Korean peninsula from the 10th to the 14th centuries.

One of the earliest known references to the name Yul can be found in the Samguk Sagi, a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, written in the 12th century. The text mentions a figure named Yulyeol, who was a scholar and poet during the Goryeo period.

The name Yul gained wider recognition in Korea during the Joseon dynasty, which lasted from the 14th to the 19th century. During this time, several notable figures bore the name, including Yul Gok (1536-1584), a renowned Confucian scholar and philosopher, and Yul Yeong (1720-1799), a prominent calligrapher and artist.

Beyond Korea, the name Yul has also been used in other cultures and contexts. In Russia, for example, the name Yul is sometimes used as a diminutive form of the name Yulian, which is derived from the Latin name Julianus. One notable Russian figure with this name was Yul Brynner (1920-1985), the actor best known for his portrayal of King Mongkut in the musical "The King and I."

Another famous individual with the name Yul was Yul Edochie, a Nigerian actor, and filmmaker born in 1982. He has starred in numerous Nollywood productions and has won several awards for his work in the Nigerian film industry.

In the Western world, the name Yul gained some popularity in the mid-20th century, likely due to the fame of the actor Yul Brynner. One notable bearer of the name was Yul Anderson (1945-2021), an American actor and singer who appeared in several Broadway productions and television shows.

While not as common as some other names, Yul has a rich history and has been used across various cultures and time periods. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Korea, and it has been borne by scholars, artists, and performers throughout the centuries.

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

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

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