Ursula or Gemma?

[Rozebud]

Which do you like most, Ursula or Gemma; what do you think of them?

Me and partner disagreeing / can't decide ...

Thanks!

Gemma is a good strong name. It means precious stone, and is actually a latin word, mind you, Ursula comes from latin too.

Gemmas are great people, very friendly, generous, kind, loyal, in fact I can't think of a bad thing to say about a Gemma. I'm biased, of course!

Don't know any Ursulas though........

Ursula is stronger and more unique to me because it's less used, I haven't known any Ursulas or perhaps just one in my primary school.
The Gemmas I've known have been PA's or worked in HR departments. Not making a judgement on that, just my experience of the names and who's had them. I'm sure there are some entrepreneurial Gemmas out there too, I just haven't met them yet.

Ursula is the best name, but then I'm a little biased
Gemma seems a bit common to me (no offence to any Gemma's out there)

Sorry but I really don't like ursula. Think it's the repeated 'er' sound combined with the L. Just sounds horrid to me. But I'm sure there are lots of Ursulas who love their name.

prefer ursula (I know a nice one)

Not crazy about either. But prefer ursula - Gemma is very ordinary and bland.

noto keen on either, but would have to choose Gemma

prefer Greta though

I'm afraid I don't really like either name.

not keen on either, sorry

lockets - the very few Ursulas I've come across pronounced it er sher la. (I think that's a grand total of two, so they may be the only two who say it this way for all I know.)

I'm going to give my opinion and then read the comments.

I say Gemma because it's lovely although I bet most people prefer Ursula. Which is a bit harsh imo. Reminds me of Ursa Major too. Not terrible. Just not nice.

I'm called Ursula. It's pronounced Er-syu-la.

I was briefly deeply offended at the "having to sneer to say it" comment, but I've just asked several family members to say my name and can verify that it's not true.

It means little bear. I love being Ursula. It's great that we're not ten-a-penny, and the name travels well (used all over Europe and both American Continents).

what about Jemima with Jemma for short?

I like Gemma and don't mind that it was more popular in the 80s but Jemima/Jemma a bit more contemporary..

I regret not giving one of my girls teh middle name Ursula. Love it. I'd go with that over Gemma any day.

Gemma reminds me of 'gimme', sorry to any Gemmas/mums of Gemmas.

I think Ursula is beautiful and elegant and timeless and unusual. And like BibiThree I regret not giving it to dd3 as a second name at least (or even as a first name??) Lovely.

i would say ursula is posh and gemma is a bit common. (runs to the hills to take cover - are you allowed to say common on mumsnet?)

Don't like either.

Emma much better than Gemma imo.

Ursula, it's brilliant and can be Sula for short which is a fantastic name. Should I mention it's my cat's name? Probably not!

I like both too, Gemma is cute and friendly and Ursula is more ladylike and refined imo. But Sula (ooh Archers flashback) is a nice unusual shortening, and would be lovely on a little girl. For both my girls we've gone for names that have quite different "feels" in the short and long versions, so that they can choose to suit their personalities. So my final vote would be for Ursula.

Oh, is Ursula the Archers character's real name? Wow. Had always wondered why on earth her parents had called her Shula.

The German nickname for Ursula is Uschi which is sooooooooooooo sweet IMO.