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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ursula

Ursula

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Ursula

Pronounced UR-sə-lah /ˈɜr.sə.lɑ/High

Meaning: From Latin ursula, 'little she-bear' (a diminutive of ursa, 'bear')High

In 30 seconds: Little bear: Ursula is Latin for 'little she-bear'. Vintage, strong, and warm (St Ursula; Ursula Le Guin).
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Origin HighLatin
MeaningFrom Latin ursula, 'little she-bear' (a diminutive of ursa, 'bear')
U.S. rank (2024)#5266 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births25 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1967
Total births (all-time)≈ 14,782

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196718812024

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

Ursula comes from Latin ursula, 'little she-bear' (a diminutive of ursa, 'bear'). Borne by the legendary medieval St Ursula (and her companions), and by author Ursula K. Le Guin and actress Ursula Andress. A vintage, strong name; nickname Ursa or Sula.

It registers thinly today. Rare now, little-bear at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Ursula means 'little she-bear' in Latin (a diminutive of ursa, 'bear') — borne by the legendary St Ursula and author Ursula K. Le Guin; a vintage, strong name.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Ursula — etymology

Variations

UrsellaOrsolaUrsulina

Nicknames

UrsaSula

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ursula…

Cordelia— another classic vintage girls' name
Novella— a fellow Latin choice
Marilla— another Latin name
Marcella— another Latin name
Paola— lands in the same popularity range

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ursula mean?

Ursula is Latin for 'little she-bear'.

How do you pronounce Ursula?

It's said UR-sə-lah /ˈɜr.sə.lɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ursula a boy or girl name?

Ursula is a girl's name.

How popular is Ursula?

Ursula is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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