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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Ursula

53 replies

brightreddress · 09/02/2015 11:23

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.

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ursulaisawonderfulname · 09/02/2015 19:14

NC for this, as an Ursula, the sea witch thing has never been an issue or ever brought up. It's a wonderful name IMO and I get lots of positive comments about it. I have only ever come across it in Germany although it is known here. I gave my DC equally unusual names. If you love the name, I definitely recommend it! Smile

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 09/02/2015 17:20

Agree with squoosh, A Little Mermaid was my favourite film as a child and I have lived in France, Spain and Italy so the two aren't mutually exclusive Smile. I've even seen it in French! And even if you won't watch it, a lot of the children your daughter will encounter will have done. Not saying that's a reason to discount it in itself but I would still keep it in mind.

Alternatives: like Paloma and Priscilla mentioned above. My DB had a gf called Priscilla who was half Indian and half Portuguese so it feels international to me Smile

squoosh · 09/02/2015 17:06

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

Are people who watch Disney cartoons destined to live a life without travel?

I would point out that even if you're Disney deniers many of her peers won't be so the reference will still pop up, not that I see anything too terrible about the Little Mermaid connection. Ursula is okay if a tad haughty for my taste. A million times better than Bernadette however.

Blahia · 09/02/2015 14:47

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.

Nandocushion · 09/02/2015 14:43

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

Blahia · 09/02/2015 14:42

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

rolypolydoll · 09/02/2015 14:41

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

Sophronia · 09/02/2015 14:38

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

BlueStarsAtNight · 09/02/2015 14:37

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).

rockinrobintweet · 09/02/2015 14:23

Arabella?
Ophelia?
Marlyah?

bienemaya · 09/02/2015 14:10

I like it!

Original poster
brightreddress · 09/02/2015 13:59

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.

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Blahia · 09/02/2015 13:27

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!

Pandora37 · 09/02/2015 13:04

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.

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 09/02/2015 12:02

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

CrispyFern · 09/02/2015 11:49

I like it and it was on my list.

gemsyll · 09/02/2015 11:47

Oops name change fail

gemsyll · 09/02/2015 11:47

Nice name!

wigglesrock · 09/02/2015 11:43

Ah well then, it's a great fit Smile

PommePoire · 09/02/2015 11:42

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

Original poster
brightreddress · 09/02/2015 11:41

I like Bernadette too!!!

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MishMooshAndMogwai · 09/02/2015 11:39

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

wigglesrock · 09/02/2015 11:39

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 Wink.

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

fattycow · 09/02/2015 11:39

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

Original poster
brightreddress · 09/02/2015 11:38

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!

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