Fun Facts About the Name Ursa
- 72 babies named Ursa: U.S. records list 72 babies given the name Ursa from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Ursa Mean?
Ursa is a Latin feminine name meaning 'she-bear.' It comes directly from the Latin noun ursa (female bear), the feminine counterpart of ursus (bear). The Latin word descends from an ancient Indo-European root for 'bear' that also appears in Greek arktos and Sanskrit ṛkṣa, though the personal name Ursa entered European use through Latin, not directly from those languages.
Because ursa is the base word, the name is not a diminutive. The related name Ursula is a diminutive formed from ursa, so when Ursa is used as a short form of Ursula, both names ultimately point to the same Latin noun. The constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor also use the Latin common noun; they are not evidence of an ancient personal name.
Ursa Name History & Origins
The Latin noun ursa is ancient and well attested, but the personal name Ursa is a later development from it. In Roman naming, the masculine Ursus appears as a cognomen, or byname; the feminine Ursa is the corresponding form. The name survived in medieval Europe largely through Latin Christian culture, where names taken from Latin words were common.
The best-known related name is Ursula, a diminutive of ursa. The legend of Saint Ursula made that longer form widespread, and Ursa has sometimes been used as a shorter version of it. In Slovenia, the form Urša is a standard feminine given name, traditionally associated with Saint Ursula and her feast day; related forms are also used in Croatia and neighboring areas.
English speakers encounter Ursa mainly in the constellation names Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the Great Bear and Little Bear. Modern fictional uses, such as the Kryptonian character Ursa in the Superman films, are later associations rather than the source of the name.
How Popular is the Name Ursa?
Ursa has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2023. Its best rank was #4,408 in 1924.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #10,057 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2024 | #13,319 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2023 | #7,607 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2022 | #12,157 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2021 | #12,111 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2017 | #18,263 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2016 | #14,224 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1929 | #5,227 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1924 | #4,408 | 7 | 0.0006% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Ursa
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with U
Short Girl Names That Start with U
How the Name Ursa Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have talent, charm and luck. You can succeed in art and in any educational occupation. You attract peculiar experiences. Your power and protection lies in spiritual side of life. You are an enthusiastic collector and you will be tenacious in holding onto the things you accumulate. You have a good memory and should make an effort to have a positive attitude. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Ursa's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ursa's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.