The nameUrsula

Ursula is a Latin name with a bear in it, carried by a saint, writers and a Disney villain.

Girl's name
Latin
Feast day

Meaning

Ursula means "little she bear" in Latin, from ursa.

Origin

Latin.

History

Saint Ursula is the legendary leader of eleven thousand virgins martyred at Cologne. In the United States Ursula reached 447th place in 1901.

Did you know?

In 2019 Ursula von der Leyen became the first woman President of the European Commission.

Famous people named Ursula

Ursula K. Le Guin, novelist
Ursula Andress, actress

Popularity of the name Ursula

Ursula in the United States

5149thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024

1967peak year (400 births)

14,782babies named Ursula in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Ursula was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 2,810 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Ursula. Its rise began around 1898, and it peaked in 1967. Half of all babies named Ursula in the United States were born before 1965, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 30 births a year.

Ursula in the United Kingdom

6096thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2009peak year (26 births)

502babies named Ursula in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Ursula was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 198 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Ursula. Half of all babies named Ursula in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers.

Ursula in Ireland

1972peak year (70 births)

981babies named Ursula in Ireland since 1964

Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Ursula in France

1972peak year (55 births)

1,055babies named Ursula in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Ursula in Austria

1984peak year (110 births)

756babies named Ursula in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Sibling names for Ursula

Names from the same generation as Ursula, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Ursula? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Ursula in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ursula mean?

Ursula means "little she bear" in Latin, from ursa.

What is the origin of the name Ursula?

Latin.

Is Ursula a girl's or a boy's name?

Ursula is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Ursula?

In 2024, Ursula was the 5149th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 25 births.

What are good sibling names for Ursula?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Antonina, Viktoria, Oriana and Cécile for a sister, Augusto, Laurence, Johannes and Maxime for a brother.

Who are famous people named Ursula?

Ursula K. Le Guin, novelist; Ursula Andress, actress.