‘Ursula’

‘Bear and The Maiden Fair’
by Franz Hein (1863 – 1927 German)

The name ‘Ursula’ from Scandinavian culture is derived from the Latin word ‘ursa’ with the suffix ‘la’ added, denoting a feminine noun. Ursula means ‘little she-bear’ or simply ‘female bear’. The overall symbol of ‘ursula’ is the bear, which is an earth sign, and the primary qualities associated with this sign are maternal protection, strength and courage, and intuition. Individuals carrying the name Ursula are associated with the characteristics of resilience, nurturing, supportiveness, guardianship, and wisdom.

The name Ursula also indicates other layers of meaning and interpretation. Meaning ‘she-bear’ this name introduces an aspect of vulnerability to a fearsome animal sign, but alongside the aspect of maternal protection, which can be fierce. Ursula also can indicate an underlying strength of the feminine, like dragon, always embodied deep within the feminine, always there to be tapped as needed, hence the embedded associations of Diana the hunter, Artemis goddess of animals, and Artio bear goddess of Celtic mythology, and protector of wildlife and nature.