"little bear, she-bear"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Ursula
Pronunciation: [ ERS-uhl-uh ]
Does Ursula flow with your last name?
A fierce medieval saints name meaning little bear
English
German
Scandinavian
Italian
Polish
Vintage
Literary
Classic
Strong
Bold
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Ursula
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"bear strength"
Origin: Proto-Indo-European
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Villain character in Disneys The Little Mermaid (1989), strongly associated with the sea witch
The Story of Ursula
Ursula comes from the Latin ursa meaning bear, with the diminutive suffix making it little she-bear. The name gained widespread use in medieval Europe through the legend of Saint Ursula, a British Christian princess said to have led 11,000 virgins on a pilgrimage to Rome, all martyred by Huns near Cologne around 383 AD. Her veneration made Ursula one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe.
Ursula was a common name in medieval and early modern Europe due to Saint Ursulas widespread veneration. It fell out of fashion in the 20th century and received a significant negative association from the Disney villain Ursula in The Little Mermaid (1989), which has kept it off most baby name lists since.
In Germany and Switzerland, Ursula remains a traditional name with Saint Ursula Day celebrated on October 21st. The Ursuline order of nuns, founded in 1535 and dedicated to teaching, carries her name to this day as one of the oldest womens religious orders in the Catholic Church.
Historical Record
Ursula first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,429 babies have been named Ursula in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ursula is past its peak , currently ranked #5,225 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Ursuline order of nuns, named for Saint Ursula, founded the first school for girls in North America in 1727 in New Orleans
- Ursula K. Le Guin, the celebrated science fiction author, bore this name
- Saint Ursula is the patron saint of educators and schoolgirls
Ursula in Other Languages
French
Ursule
German
Ursula
Polish
Urszula
Italian
Orsola
Spanish
Úrsula
Popularity Over Time
#5,225
Current Rank
Peaked 1967
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ursula
U
Ursula von der Leyen
Politician
1958
President of the European Commission, the first woman to hold this position
U
Ursula K. Le Guin
Writer
1929
American author of speculative fiction, known for The Left Hand of Darkness and the Earthsea series
U
Ursula Fictional
Other
The main villain of Disneys The Little Mermaid (1989), a sea witch who makes a deal with Ariel
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Compare Ursula with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,225
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- English German Scandinavian Italian Polish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ulla
Ursi
Urs
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ursula
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ursula
What does the name Ursula mean?
"little bear, she-bear" (from Latin). "bear strength" (from Proto-Indo-European). Ursula comes from the Latin ursa meaning bear, with the diminutive suffix making it little she-bear. The name gained widespread use in medieval Europe through the legend of Saint Ursula, a British Christian princess said to have led 11,000 virgins on a pilgrimage to Rome, all martyred by Huns near Cologne around 383 AD. Her veneration made Ursula one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe.
What is the origin of the name Ursula?
Ursula has Latin, Proto-Indo-European, English, German, Scandinavian, Italian, and Polish origins. In Latin, it means "little bear, she-bear". In Proto-Indo-European, it means "bear strength".
Is Ursula a boy or girl name?
Ursula is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ursula?
Ursula is pronounced ERS-uhl-uh.
How popular is the name Ursula?
Ursula is currently ranked #5225 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ursula?
Common nicknames for Ursula include Ulla, Ursi, and Urs.
What are good middle names for Ursula?
Popular middle name pairings include Ursula Marie, Ursula Claire, Ursula Louise, Ursula Anne, Ursula Helena, Ursula Grace, and Ursula Beatrice.
What are good sibling names for Ursula?
Names that pair well with Ursula as siblings include Hildegard, Beatrice, Ingrid, Rolf, Hugo, Thea, and Isolde.
How many syllables does Ursula have?
Ursula has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ursula a common or rare name?
Ursula is an uncommon name, ranked #5225 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ursula
Ursula is a girl name with English, German, Scandinavian, Italian, and Polish origins . The name means "little bear, she-bear" in Latin .
Ursula is currently ranked #5,225 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ursula has 3 syllables and is pronounced ERS-uhl-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ursula include Ulla, Ursi, and Urs. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis