Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

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

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!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
DillDanding · 05/02/2023 11:17

I think it’s a very ugly name, sorry.

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

MyGrandmaLizzie · 05/02/2023 11:20

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

minniethemooch · 05/02/2023 11:20

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

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.

4thonthe4th · 05/02/2023 11:25

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

MissBridgetJones · 05/02/2023 11:43

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

sunseaandme · 05/02/2023 11:45

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

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.

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.

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

Viviennemary · 05/02/2023 15:11

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

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.

DramaAlpaca · 05/02/2023 15:16

I really don't like it.

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.

VerbenaGirl · 05/02/2023 15:24

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

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.

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

Show quote history

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.

AmeliaEarhart · 05/02/2023 15:30

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

Ruthietuthie · 05/02/2023 15:33

I love it and love its meaning.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 05/02/2023 15:35

Luredbyapomegranate · 05/02/2023 15:10

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

Show quote history

Is it? I don't pronounce it with a SH and I've never heard it like that either.

I love it OP 😊

mathanxiety · 05/02/2023 15:36

I think the sea witch thing is overblown. Only people who are avid Disney fans would make any connection. That movie is long past its prime now.

I like the name - it's what I'd consider a strong name for a girl or woman, and quite Germanic. It's not at all common but it's also recognisable. I'd say it's UMC veering into arty, or UMC /RC.

It's associated for me with Saint Ursula and the order of teaching nuns who are still active all around the world, the Ursulines.

RobertsRadio · 05/02/2023 15:36

I like it. I immediately think of DH Lawrence and the 1930s. I know nothing of a sea witch connotation.

mathanxiety · 05/02/2023 15:38

I'd pronounce it Ur-sull-a. That would be an Irish and also American pronunciation.

R0ckets · 05/02/2023 15:39

I think the sea witch thing is overblown. Only people who are avid Disney fans would make any connection. That movie is long past its prime now.

I don't think you have to be an avid disney fan to know Ursula is the sea witch is the little mermaid for many it's the only association they will have with the name. Also as a previous poster noted they are doing a live action version due for release this year which will bring the movie to a whole new generation.