Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Latin.
Ursula is a girl's baby name of Latin origin, a diminutive of the Latin ursa, meaning 'little bear' or 'she-bear' — the bear being one of the most powerful and maternal symbols in the animal world.
With over 14,700 recorded births, Ursula carries an extraordinary range of cultural references. Saint Ursula, the legendary Romano-British princess martyred with 11,000 virgins, gave the name centuries of Christian resonance. Ursula Le Guin, one of the greatest science fiction writers in history, brought it intellectual prestige. And Ursula the sea witch from Disney's The Little Mermaid gave it magnificent villainy. A name that has been everything from saint to sorceress.