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Ursula

Girl name · 19 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ursula: 19 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 1975.

A name steeped in ancient history, Ursula derives from the Latin *ursa*, meaning "she-bear," a nod to strength and ferocity. Its most famous bearer is Saint Ursula, a legendary 4th-century British princess martyred alongside 11,000 virgins, whose tale inspired the Ursuline order of nuns focused on education. The name gained literary charge through Shakespeare’s gentle heroine in *Much Ado About Nothing*, later twisted into the villainous sea witch in Disney’s *The Little Mermaid*. While no direct Scottish place exists, the root *ursa* echoes in the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Though rare in modern Scotland, Ursula offers a vintage, adventurous feel, balancing delicate sound with bear-like resilience.