NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Ula

A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly Arabic or Semitic.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Ula is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ula popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 12 births.

This profile covers 168 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 2001 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 167 living people in the UK are called Ula. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Ula ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2015, when 12 girls were registered as Ula.
  • About 167 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ula as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2015

12 births

Estimated living

167

2026

Meaning

What does Ula mean?

The name Ula has its origins in several different cultures and languages. It is believed to have Germanic roots, derived from the Old Norse word "ulfer" meaning "wolf." In Scandinavian and Nordic traditions, wolves were revered as sacred animals associated with strength, loyalty, and familial bonds.

Ula is also a feminine name in Slavic languages like Polish, where it is a diminutive form of the name Olga. In this context, Ula likely stems from the Greek word "olga" meaning "holy." It is possible that the name Ula gained popularity in Eastern Europe due to the influence of the 10th-century Kievan Rus' Princess Olga, who was canonized as a saint.

In Hawaiian culture, the name Ula carries the meaning of "reddish" or "colorful," potentially referring to the vibrant hues of the Hawaiian sunset or the island's diverse landscapes.

The earliest recorded usage of the name Ula dates back to the 11th century in Scandinavia. One notable historical figure bearing this name was Ula Foilenn, an Irish noblewoman and the wife of the High King of Ireland, Muirchertach Ua Briain, in the 11th century.

Another prominent individual was Ula Saxakanangin, a renowned Inuit poet and storyteller from Greenland who lived in the late 19th century. Her work played a significant role in preserving the oral traditions and cultural heritage of her people.

In the realm of literature, Ula is the name of the protagonist in the 1938 novel "Ula, the Nahuatl Lady" by American author Adelaide Wilson. The book explores the lives of indigenous people in pre-Columbian Mexico.

The name has also been associated with various notable figures in the arts and sciences. Ula Mastyková was a celebrated Czech painter and illustrator who lived from 1892 to 1975, known for her vibrant depictions of Czech folklore and traditions.

Lastly, Ula Tai was a respected Samoan navigator and explorer who lived in the early 19th century, renowned for her expertise in traditional Polynesian wayfinding techniques.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Ula over time

The chart below shows babies named Ula registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Ula, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Ula
036912200120122024

Decades

Ula by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ula was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3301 41 5
2010s #2982 84 10
2000s #3421 43 8

Related

Names similar to Ula

FAQ

Ula: questions and answers

How popular is the name Ula in the UK right now?

In 2024, Ula was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Ula most popular?

The peak year on record was 2015, with 12 babies registered as Ula in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Ula?

A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly Arabic or Semitic.

How many people are called Ula in the UK?

A total of 168 babies have been registered as Ula across the 23 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.