Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Ursula

81 replies

Basketofkittens · 21/10/2019 21:56

I love the meaning of this name and the fact that it’s the name of my special saint.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
queenqueenqueen · 01/12/2019 22:51

Don't do it - she'd be a poor unfortunate soul!!!!

small2018 · 01/12/2019 22:50

One of my favourite names 😍

FrothyB · 01/12/2019 22:46

I think it's a wonderful name. Then again, I don't like modern names, and I really like European names with no religious links.

Ursula was up there for me, alongside Astrid, as far as Scandinavian names go. I quite like bears, and see myself as one a bit, in the "spirit animal" sense, so "little she bear" really appealed to me. We even considered Orsolya, pronounced Or-sho-ya, the Hungarian version, as our daughter is half Hungarian and I'd like her to have connections to that culture.

In the end, the more we said it aloud, the more we realised it just doesn't flow with my last name. Still think it's a lovely name though!

offbeatgirl · 01/12/2019 22:43

At the risk of outing myself, my DD (preschooler) is an Ursula. Absolutely love it, and the 'little bear' meaning - I wanted my daughter to have a strong name. It is now so uncommon however that some people (presumably those who have not watched little mermaid) seem to think it is a made up name.

IdblowJonSnow · 01/12/2019 22:36

I love it. Wanted it as a middle name for our youngest, it's also a family name. Got vetoed tho.

SleeplessWB · 01/12/2019 22:32

I teach a lovely girl named Ursula but despite this being who I associate the name with, I still think it is really awful and doesn't suit her at all.

PulpHorn · 01/12/2019 22:21

Love it. Wanted to name our DD Ursula after my amazing late grandma (who didn't much like her name actually) but vetoed by DH

SadSongsAndWaltzes · 01/12/2019 20:24

Oops, sorry @MissHenty, I didn't spot that I'd been tagged. This is going to completely out me, but I called my daughter Flora. She has a sister called Gwen. And yes it still gets mentioned a lot - I do like to hold a grudge!

theunknownknown · 26/10/2019 22:26

I love it

Janedownourlane · 25/10/2019 23:23

I think it's the ' Urs' at the beginninning that makes it ugly, and the rest doesnt really get any better, sorry.

MissHenty · 25/10/2019 15:29

@SadSongsAndWaltzes interested to hear what you called your daughter when DH vetoed Ursula? Are you annoyed with DH about it or does it not get mentioned? I think it’s a cool name but I wouldn’t dare to use

BezalHell · 25/10/2019 10:43

I know an Ursula and she goes by her middle name...

People try to make the best out of it by saying that "Sula" is a lovely nickname, but it isn't. It sounds like some sort of unspeakable sexual practice.

mathanxiety · 25/10/2019 05:59

I like it a lot. Also like Ursulina.

watermelon21 · 25/10/2019 04:49

Ffs 😂

Nubbin · 25/10/2019 04:48

It is our dds middle name - her dad is Ursus and she is Ursula so bear and little bear. She uses it a lot and never had any negative reactions. Would have been first names but I was avoiding the politics of not following a polish name for the first name.

roseaugusta · 25/10/2019 04:07

beautiful classic name!

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 24/10/2019 09:01

I don't think bringing up TLM is relevant as it was a good name way before then. It's not like sensible Adults are going to say 'Oh...the sea witch ay?' because they would look like idiots and they know it. After all, there are plenty of Hermiones about and HP crossed the bounds of adulthood on terms of popularity to a far greater degree.

I think it's a nice, refreshing, unusual and solid strong name.

PetraRabbit · 23/10/2019 13:27

I like it. Strong, feminine and unusual. I don't think the average person would get your references (the average person doesn't read latin or know much about more obscure saints) but there's a satisfaction in choosing a name for really well researched reasons rather than just picking another top 100 name. Choose it!

GemmeFatale · 23/10/2019 08:31

Love it. And I know a young one. Use it

TigerJoy · 23/10/2019 01:06

Little bear! Always been one of my favourite names

Handmaid2019 · 23/10/2019 00:52

I love it! Grin

Wavyheaded · 23/10/2019 00:41

I think it's an ugly name, sorry.

PrincessLouis · 22/10/2019 23:21

Disagree with most here - saint + constellation 🌌 + Life After Life = impeccable pedigree. Classic, classy & unusual all in one - go for it OP!

Marcipex · 22/10/2019 23:13

I think it’s a really ugly name.

TildaTurnip · 22/10/2019 23:09

I wouldn’t. She’s a very well known character that sea witch. Similar to calling your child Cruella. Sort of.