Mulan

Girl Name #2,551 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

The magnolia warrior: Chinas most beloved heroine

Chinese Vietnamese

Literary Strong Elegant Bold

Meaning & Origin

"magnolia flower, wood orchid"

Origin: Chinese

Language: Mandarin

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.

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

Famous People Named Mulan

Hua Mulan Fictional

Military

Legendary Chinese heroine who disguised herself as a man to serve in her fathers place in the army

Mulan (Disney) Fictional

Other

Protagonist of Disneys 1998 animated film and the 2020 live-action remake

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

Mulani #2475

Common Nicknames

Lan Mu

Pairs Well With

Mulan Mei Mulan Jing Mulan Xiu Mulan Rose Mulan Jade Mulan Li

Sibling Names

Mei Lan Ping Wei Jun Xiu Bo

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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Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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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 and Mu.

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.

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.