Oliver vs Ulysses

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Oliver

Boy #3 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"olive tree"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English French Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3
Total SSA Count
15,343
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ollie, Oli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Ulysses

Boy #1,291 Most Popular 4 Syllables

Meaning

"difficult journey"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

Latin Greek American Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,291
Total SSA Count
152
Syllables
4
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Uly, Lee

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ulysses →

Popularity Comparison

Oliver Rank #3
Ulysses Rank #1,291

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 vs #1291 for Ulysses.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Oliver ___

  • Oliver James
  • Oliver Thomas
  • Oliver William
  • Oliver Henry
  • Oliver John
  • Oliver Benjamin

Ulysses ___

  • Ulysses Grant
  • Ulysses James
  • Ulysses Rex
  • Ulysses Theodore
  • Ulysses Augustine
  • Ulysses Roman

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Oliver

Olivia Charlotte Emma Sophia Amelia

If you choose Ulysses

Achilles Augustus Penelope Helena Leonidas

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oliver or Ulysses more popular?

Oliver is more popular, ranked #3 compared to Ulysses at #1291 in the United States.

What do Oliver and Ulysses mean?

Oliver means "olive tree" (Latin origin). Ulysses means "difficult journey" (Greek origin).

Are Oliver and Ulysses boy or girl names?

Oliver is primarily a boy name. Ulysses is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Oliver ← Full profile: Ulysses Browse all baby names