Rising since 2004, #2,458 for girls today.
Popularity of Mulan since 1998
Babies named Mulan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 23 |
| 2000s | 59 |
| 2010s | 283 |
| 2020s | 378 |
Meaning & origin
Mulan first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1998, the same year as Disney's animated film. Since then, its use has been rising, particularly since 2004. In 2025, it ranked 2,458 with 1 in 22,323 girls receiving the name (based on a sample of births). Its peak year so far is 2025, suggesting continued growth. The name is most popular in Virginia, Georgia, and Illinois. Its association with the legendary Chinese heroine gives it a cross-cultural appeal, though its usage remains relatively rare in the United States.
Mulan is a name of Chinese origin, famously borne by the legendary heroine Hua Mulan from the poem 'Ballad of Mulan' (6th century). The name's meaning is debated, but it is often associated with the Chinese words for 'wood' (mu) and 'orchid' (lan). It entered Western consciousness through the Disney animated film 'Mulan' (1998), which led to its use as a given name.
Where Mulan is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mulan” around the world
Where Mulan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lan, Muli
Sibling names for Mulan
Names that share Mulan's style, for a brother or sister.
