What does the S stand for in Ulysses S. Grants name?

Answer 1

The S did not really stand for anything - it was a mistake. President Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant. Congressman Thomas Hamer mistakenly nominated him to the U. S. Military Academy as "Ulysses S. Grant of Ohio" , possibly recalling that his mother's maiden name was Simpson. Therefore Grant was enrolled at West Point under that name. He made attempts to get the error corrected, but after no success ,he became resigned to it and accepted the name change. Ulysses S. Grant was therefore the name that was recorded in the army records once he graduated and became an officer. His nickname became "Sam" among army colleagues at the academy, since they figured the initials "U.S." must stand for "Uncle Sam".

In a letter to his wife dated March 31, 1853 he clearly states that the S does not mean anything.

(The story that he changed his name because he did not like the initials HUG cannot be verified and seems to be false. )

Answer 2

Apparently nothing. Born Hiram Ulysses Grant, it was "given" to him by a congressman that mistakely wrote it down that way when he nominated Grant for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, reportedly as an abbreviation of Grant's mother's maiden name, Simpson. Grant couldn't get it changed so the name stuck.

Answer 3

President Grant was born Hiram Ulysses Grant. Congressman Thomas Hamer mistakenly nominated him to the U. S. Military Academy as "Ulysses S. Grant of Ohio." At West Point, he adopted this name with a middle initial only. His nickname became "Sam" among army colleagues at the academy, since the initials "U.S." stood for "Uncle Sam".

Answer 4

ANSWER

Sympson.

Answer 5

Simpson, his mother's maiden name.

Answer 6

Simpson

Answer 7

Simpson

Answer 8

Sherman

Answer 9

Nothing

Answer 10

Nothing