Entry № 6167 · Latin origin

Ursula Ursula — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ UR-sue-lah /

Gender

Girl

Origin

Latin

Meaning

"Little bear"

Syllables

Rank · US 2025

№ 0

First recorded

Medieval (Latin)

The meaning

A name that means "little bear".

Ursula is the Latin diminutive of ursa (bear) — meaning "little bear." Saint Ursula was the legendary 4th-century princess martyred at Cologne with 11,000 virgin companions.

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) was the American science fiction novelist; Ursula Andress (born 1936) was the first Bond girl. Disney's Ursula is the iconic villain of The Little Mermaid.

Little bear. Ursula K. Le Guin.

In its original form

The name in its native script.

Ursula

Transliteration: Ursula
Pronunciation: / ˈɜːr.sjuː.lə /
Root: —
Grammatical form: —

Popularity

Where Ursula stands.

Current rank · 2025

№ 0 in the U.S.

All-time peak

№ 0 in 0

Babies named Ursula · last year

142 in the U.S.

First entered SSA top-1000

1880

Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular

Namesakes

Ursulas before her.

Real people

Ursula K. Le Guin

American sci-fi novelist.

1929 – 2018

Ursula Andress

Swiss-American actress (first Bond girl).

born 1936

Ursula von der Leyen

President of European Commission.

born 1958

In fiction

Ursula

Sea-witch villain of The Little Mermaid.

1989 Disney film

Names connected to Ursula.

Numerology

The number behind Ursula.

The Pioneer

Ursula reduces to one — the number of Latin little bear.

Parents on Ursula

Why families chose this name.

"Little bear in Latin. Six letters. Ursula."

Catherine · Mother of one · London