Ulla

♀ Girl

Pronounced UUL-uh /ˈʊl.ə/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Ursula ('little bear') or Ulrike ('prosperity and power'), used as a name in its own right across Scandinavia and Germany. Crisp and warm.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp Nordic name: Ulla is a short form of Ursula or Ulrike (said 'UUL-uh'). Warm and vintage.

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Origin MediumScandinavian, German

MeaningA short form of Ursula ('little bear') or Ulrike ('prosperity and power'), used as a name in its own right across Scandinavia and Germany. Crisp and warm.

U.S. rank (2023)#15026 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 97

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Ulla shortens Ursula or Ulrike across Scandinavia and Germany, a tidy two-beat name. It reads warm and rare in the U.S. (said 'UUL-uh').

In the U.S. it appears rarely, more familiar in the Nordics. Rare, crisp, and warm.

Did you know? Ulla is a Scandinavian and German short form of Ursula ('little bear') or Ulrike ('prosperity and power'), long used on its own - crisp, warm, and a little vintage (said 'UUL-uh').

Overall data confidence 44%

References - Ulla — Scandinavian/German short form of Ursula/Ulrike

Variations

UlleUrsulaUlrike

Nicknames

UllLulu

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ulla mean?

Ulla is a Scandinavian and German short form of Ursula ('little bear') or Ulrike ('prosperity and power').

How do you pronounce Ulla?

It's said UUL-uh /ˈʊl.ə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ulla a boy or girl name?

Ulla is a girl's name.

How popular is Ulla?

Ulla is a rare name in the U.S.