"magnolia flower, wood orchid"
Origin: Chinese
Language: Mandarin
Mulan
Does Mulan flow with your last name?
The magnolia warrior: Chinas most beloved heroine
Chinese
Vietnamese
Literary
Strong
Elegant
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the Disney animated film Mulan (1998) and the legend of Hua Mulan
The Story of Mulan
Mulan (木兰) is a Chinese name composed of the characters mù meaning wood and lán meaning orchid or magnolia. Together it refers to the magnolia tree (Magnolia liliiflora), specifically a species with beautiful purple-pink flowers. The name became legendary through the ancient Chinese poem The Ballad of Mulan (木兰辞), which tells of a young woman who disguises herself as a man to fight in place of her aged father.
The Disney animated film Mulan (1998) brought enormous international attention to the name. While Chinese families had long used it, Western parents began considering it as a strong, story-rich option. The 2020 live-action remake renewed interest globally.
Hua Mulan is one of Chinas most beloved legendary heroines, representing filial piety, courage, and female strength. The legend dates to the Northern Wei period (386-534 CE). In Chinese culture, Mulan embodies the ideal of a daughter who sacrifices for family while demonstrating extraordinary bravery.
Historical Record
Mulan first appeared in US Social Security records in 1998.
Over 671 babies have been named Mulan in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mulan is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,551 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mulan means magnolia or wood orchid in Chinese
- The Ballad of Mulan is one of the most famous poems in Chinese literature, possibly dating to the 4th-6th century CE
- Disneys 1998 Mulan was one of the first major Hollywood films with a Chinese female hero
Mulan in Other Languages
Korean
뮬란
Chinese
木兰
Japanese
ムーラン
Vietnamese
Mộc Lan
Popularity Over Time
#2,551
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mulan
H
Hua Mulan Fictional
Military
Legendary Chinese heroine who disguised herself as a man to serve in her fathers place in the army
M
Mulan (Disney) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Disneys 1998 animated film and the 2020 live-action remake
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Compare Mulan with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,551
- Total SSA Count
- 70
- Cultural Origins
- Chinese Vietnamese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lan
Mu
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, literary style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mulan
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Mulan is also used as a boy name, ranked #41784.
View Mulan as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mulan
What does the name Mulan mean?
"magnolia flower, wood orchid" (from Chinese). Mulan (木兰) is a Chinese name composed of the characters mù meaning wood and lán meaning orchid or magnolia. Together it refers to the magnolia tree (Magnolia liliiflora), specifically a species with beautiful purple-pink flowers. The name became legendary through the ancient Chinese poem The Ballad of Mulan (木兰辞), which tells of a young woman who disguises herself as a man to fight in place of her aged father.
What is the origin of the name Mulan?
Mulan has Chinese and Vietnamese origins. In Chinese, it means "magnolia flower, wood orchid".
Is Mulan a boy or girl name?
Mulan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2551. As a boy name, it is ranked #41784. Mulan is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Mulan?
Mulan is currently ranked #2551 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mulan?
Common nicknames for Mulan include Lan.
What are good middle names for Mulan?
Popular middle name pairings include Mulan Mei, Mulan Jing, Mulan Xiu, Mulan Rose, Mulan Jade, and Mulan Li.
What are good sibling names for Mulan?
Names that pair well with Mulan as siblings include Mei, Lan, Ping, Wei, Jun, Xiu, and Bo.
How many syllables does Mulan have?
Mulan has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mulan a common or rare name?
Mulan is an uncommon name, ranked #2551 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Mulan?
Are there other spellings for Mulan?
Related spellings include Mulani.
About the Name Mulan
Mulan is a girl name with Chinese and Vietnamese origins . The name means "magnolia flower, wood orchid" in Chinese .
Is Mulan a boy or girl name? Mulan is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,551 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #41,784. Mulan is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mulan is currently ranked #2,551 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mulan has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mulan include Lan and Mu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mulan include Mulani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis