Fun Facts About the Name Ulan
- 6 babies named Ulan: U.S. records list 6 babies given the name Ulan from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Ulan Mean?
Ulan is a male name used in Mongolia and parts of Central Asia. Its Mongolian source is ulaan (улаан), the ordinary word for "red," so the Mongolian name means "red." In Kazakh and Kyrgyz, Ulan (Kazakh Ұлан) is a separate name from a Turkic noun meaning "young man," related to Turkish oğlan "boy." The two derivations are distinct: the shared spelling in English does not mean they come from the same word.
Ulan Name History & Origins
The Mongolic color term is recorded in Written Mongolian as ulaɣan. In modern Khalkha Mongolian it became ulaan, with the medial consonant lost and a long vowel developing. The same word forms the first element of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city's name adopted in 1924, where it is paired with baatar "hero." As a given name, Ulan belongs to the Mongolian practice of naming from ordinary words, including colors.
The Turkic name is found chiefly in Kazakh and Kyrgyz. Its source is a word for a young man, related to Turkish oğlan "boy"; Kazakh ұлан shows the loss of the internal consonant. The similarity to the Mongolian word is a matter of transliteration rather than common etymology.
How Popular is the Name Ulan?
Ulan has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1918. Its best rank was #4,134 in 1918.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | #4,134 | 6 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Ulan Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have talent, charm and luck. You can succeed in art and in any educational occupation. You attract peculiar experiences. Your power and protection lies in spiritual side of life. You are an enthusiastic collector and you will be tenacious in holding onto the things you accumulate. You have a good memory and should make an effort to have a positive attitude. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
Creative and outgoing, you are always looking for an opportunity to show your abilities, especially before audience. You are very flexible and like to feel appreciated. You are looking for chances to mix with others socially and to communicate your ideas. You like to talk and can easily relate to different cultures and concepts. The biggest challenge for you is uncertainty. Easily getting bored, you can move from one job to another, switch projects and lovers. The high creative force can lead you either to happiness or unhappiness. If you understand your goals, if you can make major decisions in life and follow it directly and straight up without worry and uncertainty, you are able to achieve great heights.
✦ Ulan's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ulan's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.