Ulan means “children”. It comes from Proto-Turkic. It is documented as a boy's name in Kazakh and also used in Kyrgyz.
- Ulan is a name of Turkic origin.
- It is recorded for Kazakh and Kyrgyz.
- 2 syllables (counted from the spelling) and 4 letters.
What does Ulan mean?
Ulan (Ұлан) is a Kazakh boy's name recorded both on Wiktionary and in the KazPER name list. Wiktionary traces it to *oglan ‘children’ (Proto-Turkic in origin), which gives the meaning “children”.[1]
Ulan in Kazakh and Kyrgyz
What does Ulan mean in Kazakh?
In Kazakh the name is written Ұлан and Ulan (common romanization). No separate Kazakh gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “children” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.[1,3]
What does Ulan mean in Kyrgyz?
In Kyrgyz the name is written Улан and Ulan (common romanization). No separate Kyrgyz gloss is recorded, so the general meaning “children” applies. It is recorded as a boy's name.
Where does the name Ulan come from?
Proto-Turkic, borrowing. From Proto-Turkic *oglan.[1,2]✓ Documented
Which languages use the name Ulan?
Ulan is used as a given name in Kazakh and Kyrgyz. Its origin is Proto-Turkic. The table shows for each language whether the use is documented by a cited source or comes from our editorial research.
Ulan across Turkic languages
| Language | Spelling | Gender | Meaning in this language | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakh | ҰланCyrillic | Boy | same as above: “children” | Documented[1,3] |
| Kyrgyz | УланCyrillic | Boy | same as above: “children” | Editorial |
Similar spellings in different languages do not prove a shared origin: two languages can arrive at the same sound from different words. The origin section above states what the sources say.
Spelling variations of Ulan
Forms are shown as recorded, in their original script. Romanizations and rule-based conversions are labelled with their system and are not presented as attested spellings.
Sibling names for Ulan
Names recorded for the same languages that start with a different letter, so two children are not mixed up. Names that share a meaning theme or an element with Ulan rank first. Siblings do not have to match; these are only ideas.
- AmanzhanBoy“safe soul”same language (kazakh)
- MambetBoy“commendable, laudable, praised, praiseworthy”same language (kyrgyz)
- BaatyrBoy“hero, brave warrior”same language (kyrgyz)
- NussipBoy“share, portion, lot (of something); destiny, fate, lot”same language (kazakh)
- MirbekBoy“emir + lord”same language (kyrgyz)
- AkimkhanBoy“ruler, governor + khan (ruler over various Turkic and Mongol peoples in the Middle Ages)”same language (kazakh)
- JenishbekBoy“lord of victory”same language (kyrgyz)
- MalikeGirl“queen”same language (kazakh)
Common questions about Ulan
What does the name Ulan mean?
Ulan means “children”. It comes from Proto-Turkic. It is documented as a boy's name in Kazakh and also used in Kyrgyz.
Is Ulan a girl's or a boy's name?
Ulan is recorded as a boy's name. By language: Kazakh: boys; Kyrgyz: boys.
Where does Ulan come from?
Ulan is of Proto-Turkic origin according to our origin records. Read the origin section above for the sources.
Which languages use Ulan?
Ulan is recorded for Kazakh and Kyrgyz. The table shows each language's spelling, gender and evidence label, and a language is listed only when our data records the name for it.
How is Ulan spelled in other scripts?
Recorded spellings: Ұлан (Cyrillic), Ulan (Latin), Улан (Cyrillic). Romanizations and rule-based conversions are labelled as such in the spelling table.
How many syllables does Ulan have?
Ulan has 2 syllables by our approximate count of vowel groups in the spelling, and 4 letters. Pronunciation can differ by language.
Sources
Numbers in the text point to these sources. The descriptions on this page are written by a fixed template filled only with the stored source facts; source texts are not copied.
- Wiktionary contributors. Wiktionary entry “Ұлан”. Wikimedia Foundation, revision 87733395. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: etymology: From Proto-Turkic *oglan.; classified as Kazakh given names, Kazakh male given names; listed as a Kazakh given name; Kazakh given-name entry Ұлан
- Wiktionary contributors. Wiktionary entry “Reconstruction:Proto-Turkic/oglan”. Wikimedia Foundation, revision 91628082. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.
Supports: Proto-Turkic *oglan ‘children’
- Rustem Yeshpanov. KazPER Kazakh person-name list. Accessed 2026-10-28. Licence: CC BY 4.0.
Supports: listed in KazPER; KazPER lists Ұлан; KazPER English spelling Ulan
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