Ursula

[brightreddress]

What do you think? Please no comments about the Disney sea witch! We won't be watching that and live a life that takes us abroad etc.

[PommePoire]

Love! Ursula is a gorgeous name. I have a lovely 23 year old friend named Ursula. She's is affectionately known as Ulla or Ulli. Her dad sometimes calls her Sulla.

[brightreddress]

Thank you PommePoire! I think I like it a lot.

[PommePoire]

Only slight negative might be how the initial U sounds with your surname.

[brightreddress]

It sounds quite good. What you mean like a bad acronym? Like U.D. might not be nice? Anyway, that's not enough of a negative for me!

[fattycow]

I don't really like it, it sounds really German to me?

[wigglesrock]

It's not one of my favourites - the film connection never pops into my head. It's just I think if it as very old fashioned and not in a good way, it's probably just because of my age and where I live. It's a nuns name to me - I lump it in with Assumpta, Dymphna, Mairead, Patricia, Bernadette - see I've just listed every nun that I've ever met .

I think I also say it wrong - I would say Urshla.

[MishMooshAndMogwai]

I think it's awful, sorry! I've always hated it and went to school with a lovely girl who I remember thinking 'what a shame about her horrible name!' As a very judgemental 6(ish) year old!

For me it's on a par with Gertrude and Bertha but I know plenty will think its one of those Classic, elegant names.

I love ulla though! That's gorgeous

[brightreddress]

I like Bernadette too!!!

[PommePoire]

I had an American work colleague whose surname was Bender. So if the initial U could sound like 'You' with your surname that might be embarrassing!

I like the fact Ursula sounds European

[wigglesrock]

Ah well then, it's a great fit

[gemsyll]

Nice name!

[gemsyll]

Oops name change fail

[CrispyFern]

I like it and it was on my list.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I don't like it at all, sounds really harsh and ugly.

[Pandora37]

I think it's hideous which is a shame as I like the meaning. I did grow up with The Little Mermaid so maybe that colours my view but I really do think of it as an ugly name. That said, it's international so could work well for you and I don't know how it's perceived in other countries.

[Blahia]

I don't really like it personally.

I very much think of the Disney connection, and after that I think of Phoebe from Friends sister.

Having said that, a little girl is not likely to hear or care about the latter, and may not watch the little mermaid/ may not care?!

I can't help but feel it's a bit 'harsh' sounding, but I've never met a little girl called it, and it may in fact suit her.

Also, I have a daughter with a name not everybody likes, but it doesn't matter because we love it, and the name really suits her!

[brightreddress]

Could you suggest some likely alternatives? I really like the international feel, and also the fact it is very rare (I'm aware that some think there is a clear reason for that!), and that it is fairly long. I feel a bit stuck.

[bienemaya]

I like it!

[rockinrobintweet]

Arabella?
Ophelia?
Marlyah?

[BlueStarsAtNight]

I quite like it. It makes me think of the Ursula Bear books from primary school (a girl who had to eat something to turn into a little bear, and then something else, maybe jam?? to turn back).

[Sophronia]

I like it and would love to hear of it being used!

[rolypolydoll]

Love this- little female bear, so cute. Was my fave for years but eventually went for Shirley.

[Blahia]

Paloma
Penelope
Millicent
Roberta (one of my own favourites that I know many people don't are for! )
Wilhelmina
Frederikka/ Federica
Annaluna
Priscilla ??

[Nandocushion]

It was our second girl's choice. Love it, love the strength of it.

[Blahia]

If you like the meaning of it, perhaps consider the French/ Dutch/ Greenlandic name Anouk? One of it's two meanings is 'strong bear', plus it's a lovely, international, non-frilly name.