^ Grant's step-grandmother Sarah Simpson, an educated woman who read French classical literature, spoke up for the name Ulysses, the legendary, ancient Greek hero.[13]

^ Biographer Edward G. Longacre offers the theory held by some biographers that Grant's parents' decision was based on their recognition of his aversion to music. Longacre, however, also suggests that not pushing religion may have been a form of simple parental neglect.[19]

^ One source says Hamer nominated Grant Ulysses Sidney Grant.[27] Another source says Hamer thought the "S" stood for Simpson, Grant's mother's maiden name.[28] According to Grant, the "S." did not stand for anything. Upon graduation from the academy he adopted the name "Ulysses S. Grant".[29]

^ In another version of the story, Grant inverted his first and middle names to register at West Point as "Ulysses Hiram Grant" because he thought reporting to the academy with a trunk that carried the initials H.U.G. would subject him to teasing and ridicule.[31] Upon finding that Hamer had nominated him as "Ulysses S. Grant."