Ulyssa

Meaning & origin

Ulyssa is a modern name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1984, making it a relatively recent coinage. While it has never entered the top 1000, it reached its peak year in 2000, when it saw its highest usage. The name has remained stable in popularity since then, suggesting a small but steady following. It is almost exclusively given to girls. Its etymology is transparently a feminine adaptation of Ulysses, the Latinized name of the Greek hero Odysseus, whose story is central to Western literature. Ulyssa fits a pattern of classical revivals and feminine formations that gained traction in the late 20th century, appealing to parents looking for a name with literary resonance and a distinctive sound.

Ulyssa is a modern coinage, likely derived from Ulysses, the Latin form of Greek Odysseus. The name Ulysses has been used in English literature since the Renaissance, most famously in James Joyce's novel 'Ulysses' (1922). The feminine variant Ulyssa emerged in the late 20th century, following the pattern of creating feminine forms from masculine names (e.g., Ursula from Ulysses). It first appeared in U.S. records in 1984.