Ursula
Ursula is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Little female bear.
Origin and history
Ursula is derived from the Latin word for bear, 'ursa', paired with a diminutive suffix. The name has long roots in European tradition, historically tied to Saint Ursula. While relatively uncommon in modern U.S. births, it remains widely recognized due to classic literature and pop culture references.
Popularity in the United States
14,811 babies in the United States have been named Ursula since 1880. It ranks #1286 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1921.
States where it is most popular
- NY (17.8 %)
- CA (12.5 %)
- TX (9 %)
- PA (8.1 %)
- IL (7.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 121 |
| 1890-1900 | 279 |
| 1900-1910 | 460 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,141 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,441 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,126 |
| 1940-1950 | 785 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,087 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,810 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,740 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,398 |
| 1990-2000 | 591 |
| 2000-2010 | 357 |
| 2010-2019 | 295 |
| 2020-2029 | 180 |
Famous people named Ursula
- Ursula K. Le Guin: Author, Writer
- Ursula Andress: Actress, Model
Nicknames
Ursi, Sula
Fun facts
- Ursula is famously featured as a character name in William Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' as well as Disney's 'The Little Mermaid'.
- The name gained widespread popularity across medieval Europe due to the veneration of Saint Ursula during the Middle Ages.