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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ursula

69 replies

Roseyposeypudding · 05/02/2023 05:22

Every time there is a thread about the name Ursula, it seems to get totally different responses. One thread will be 90% really positive about the name, the second thread will be hating it for the sea witch connection.

I posted about it once and everyone hated it! I saw another thread a few months later and it was almost unanimously loved. So, once and for all: Ursula. What do you think?

Does the sea witch thing make it unusable? I think is got a lovely fresh sound - rare but very old with a strong history. I like the saint connection and I love the meaning!

We live abroad so there’s no sea witch connection here, but got family and friends in the UK (and might end up there one day) to need advice for a British point of view!

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AmeliaEarhart · 05/02/2023 15:30

I think of Ursula Le Guin too. And bears. But then I’ve never seen the Little Mermaid…

Anniissa · 05/02/2023 15:27

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/02/2023 15:10

It's pronounced ers-shu-luh in England, so there is a sh sound

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I’ve more often heard it pronounced ers-you-la in England. Have heard both but the sh version less frequently. Not sure I like either version as I think both sound quite harsh.

NannyR · 05/02/2023 15:27

I don't associate it with the sea witch, but I don't like the name at all, I think it sounds quite frumpy and ugly and makes me picture an elderly nun, Sister Ursula. But that's just my personal thoughts, if you love it then go for it.

VerbenaGirl · 05/02/2023 15:24

I love it. DD (teen) has a lovely friend called Ursula.

toastofthetown · 05/02/2023 15:22

I find it a very unappealing sound, despite liking the meaning. 'Ur' is just unpleasant to me. Even reading Life After Life I didn't warm to it slightly. There's a reason Disney chose Ursula for the villain, not the heroine.

DramaAlpaca · 05/02/2023 15:16

I really don't like it.

MrsMoastyToasty · 05/02/2023 15:14

I think of Phoebe's identical twin in Friends . It's also a saints name. Our local convent school was called St Ursulas.

Viviennemary · 05/02/2023 15:11

I dont like it. Not a very attractive sounding name.

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/02/2023 15:10

GoldenGorilla · 05/02/2023 13:51

But that’s the German pronounciation that lets you shorten to urshi / ushi - in England the name is not pronounced with a sh sound.

It's pronounced ers-shu-luh in England, so there is a sh sound

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/02/2023 15:09

It's not a favourite, but I quite like it. Makes me think of Ursula Le Guinn (sp?)

I had a childhood friend Ursula. She was known as Gudrun in the family (not outside it, happily).

I think it means bear doesn't it? Which is nice.

GoldenGorilla · 05/02/2023 13:51

But that’s the German pronounciation that lets you shorten to urshi / ushi - in England the name is not pronounced with a sh sound.

sunseaandme · 05/02/2023 11:45

I don't like it at all, it is very harsh and craggy sounding

MissBridgetJones · 05/02/2023 11:43

.... the sea witch. That's what a immediately came to mind. From A Little Mermaid 🧜‍♀️

4thonthe4th · 05/02/2023 11:25

Ugly, like the morbidly obese sea witch most people associate the name with.

BananaHamhock · 05/02/2023 11:24

I would also caution you against this name because the new live action remake is going to be released this year, and it will no doubt bring the name to the forefront of people's minds again and everyone will associate it with the movie. Melissa McCarthy is playing Ursula btw.

minniethemooch · 05/02/2023 11:20

This was quite a popular name in Germany , where I grew up . Shortened to Ushi , which I love

MyGrandmaLizzie · 05/02/2023 11:20

Ursula reminds me of the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid Disney film, so a 'no' from me

BananaCocktails · 05/02/2023 11:18

@Boneweary Simba is a very popular name in Africa long before the cartoon came out

you will notice one of the contestants on the apprentice is called Simba x

DillDanding · 05/02/2023 11:17

I think it’s a very ugly name, sorry.

romdowa · 05/02/2023 11:17

I love it and was my baby name when I was pregnant but I had a son.

BananaCocktails · 05/02/2023 11:17

Without the witch connotation, it’s a horrible name anyway ..I’m sorry..
The sound you make when you say it is also awful. URRRRsula

It is very middle-aged, larger ladies name, it’s not very nice

Sandysandwich · 05/02/2023 11:15

The sea witch connection wouldn't bother me- I think that character is quite cool.
But I think the name sounds unpleasant, like curse, fistula etc

DalaiLlama · 05/02/2023 11:12

I love it and think of DH Lawrence before The Little Mermaid.

Dinodelight · 05/02/2023 11:10

I don’t like it, the ‘Urrr’ sounds outs me off it. It’s not a very pretty name in my opinion.

Marcipex · 05/02/2023 11:09

I love the meaning but not the sound. As the owner of a clunky name, I would say no. But I have no idea of the sea witch thing.