Ursula
Meaning of Ursula
Ursula is a female name with origins in both Italian and German. In Italian, it is pronounced as oor-SOO-lah, while in German, it is pronounced as OOR-zoo-lah. The English pronunciation of Ursula is UR-suh-luh. This name also has a variation, Urszula.
Ursula carries various associations and meanings. It is derived from the Latin word "ursa," meaning "she-bear." In mythology, the she-bear was often associated with strength and protection. Additionally, Saint Ursula was a legendary 4th-century Christian martyr who became known for her courage and piety.
In terms of popularity, Ursula has seen fluctuating levels of usage over the years in the United States. While not currently among the most popular names, it continues to be chosen by parents for their newborn daughters. Its ranking has ranged from 2164 to 5143 in recent years.
Overall, Ursula is a unique and meaningful name that carries historical and cultural significance. It can be an excellent choice for parents seeking a name with depth and character for their baby girl.
Pronunciation
Italian
- Pronunced as oor-SOO-lah (/urˈsuːla/)
German
- Pronunced as OOR-zoo-lah (/ˈʊʁzʊla/)
English
- Pronunced as UR-suh-luh (/ˈɜrsələ/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Ursula
| Ursula K. Le Guin - Ursula Kroeber Le Guin was an American author known for her speculative fiction, including the Hainish universe and Earthsea series, with a literary career spanning nearly sixty years. |
| Ursula Andress is a Swiss actress and former model known for her roles in American, British, and Italian films, including her iconic portrayal of Bond girl Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, Dr. No. |
| Ursula Burns - Ursula M. Burns is a trailblazing American businesswoman who made history as the first black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company during her tenure as CEO of Xerox from 2009 to 2016. |
| Ursula Vernon is an award-winning American writer, artist, and illustrator known for her children's books such as Hamster Princess and Dragonbreath, as well as her works for older audiences under the name T. Kingfisher. |
| Ursula Johnson is a renowned Mi’kmaq artist from Canada known for her innovative work combining traditional basket weaving with sculpture, installation, and performance art. |
| Ursula Halligan is an Irish journalist and former political editor of TV3. |
| Ursula Bailey Marvin was an American planetary geologist and author known for her work at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. |
| Ursula Graham Bower - Ursula Violet Graham Bower MBE was a pioneering anthropologist in the Naga Hills and a guerrilla fighter against the Japanese in Burma. |
| Ursula Schaeppi, a Swiss comedian and actress, is known for her work in Swiss German language stage productions and as a voice actress in children's literature. |
| Ursula Katherine Duncan was a self-educated botanist known for her expertise in mosses, lichens, and flowers, and was honored for her contributions to plant taxonomy. |
| Ursula Gibson - Ursula J. Gibson is a materials scientist known for her expertise in novel core optical fibers. |
| Ursula Torday, a prolific British writer known for her gothic, romance, and mystery novels, also wrote under several pseudonyms and won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 1961. |
| Ursula Mamlok was a German-born American composer and teacher known for her significant contributions to contemporary classical music. |
| Ursula Parrott was an American writer known for her best-selling romantic novel Ex-Wife, which was adapted into the film The Divorcee. |
| Ursula Groden-Kranich is a German politician who served as a member of the Bundestag and Mainz City Council, representing the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). |
