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Home β€Ί Baby Names Directory β€Ί Mulan

Mulan

♀ Girl

Pronounced MOO-lan /ˈmu.lan/Medium

Meaning: MagnoliaMedium

In 30 seconds: Mulan is a name from Chinese tradition meaning 'magnolia,' carried by the legendary warrior of the same story.
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Origin MediumChinese Mythology
MeaningMagnolia
U.S. rank (2024)#2543 β†— Rising
2024 U.S. births70 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)β‰ˆ 671

Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data

peak 202019982024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mulan means 'magnolia,' a flower name rooted in Chinese mythology. It is inseparable from the legend of the young woman who took her father's place in the army, the tale that keeps the name famous.

The two syllables land cleanly and evenly, and the floral meaning sits in striking contrast to the warrior story attached to it.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Mulan is 'magnolia', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Mulan β€” etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration β€” 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Mulan…

Afnanβ€” echoes that soft -an sound
Oceanβ€” echoes that soft -an sound
Layanβ€” shares the -an ending
Mavieβ€” lands in the same popularity range
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mulan mean?

Mulan is usually explained as meaning 'magnolia' and is most often linked with Chinese Mythology tradition.

How do you pronounce Mulan?

It's commonly said MOO-lan /ˈmu.lan/.

Is Mulan a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Mulan is used as a girl name.

How popular is Mulan?

In 2024, Mulan ranked #2543 in the U.S. for girls, with 70 births recorded.

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