Urs

Urs is a male first name that carries the meaning "the bear" and is derived from the Latin word ursus. The name originates from the Roman surname Ursinus.

What does the name Urs mean?

The first name Urs means "the bear" and derives from the Latin word ursus. The name's popularity is attributed to Saint Ursus, a martyr and patron saint of the Swiss city of Solothurn, who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Ursus fled with other Christian soldiers during the Battle of Agaunum to the fortress of Solothurn, where he was later executed. In Switzerland, Urs is quite popular as a local form of Ursus, while it is less frequently given in Germany. A well-known children's book from Switzerland tells the adventures of Schellenursli, who carries a little bell. The first edition was published in 1945. Variants of the name include Ursin and Uorsin, while it is known in French as Ours and in Italian as Orso or Urso. Diminutive forms include Orsino and Ursino. Female forms of the name include Ursa, Ursula, Ursine, Ursina, and Orsina.

Where does the name Urs come from?

The name Urs has its roots in Latin and is derived from "ursus," which means "the bear." The term is composed of the Latin word ursus = the bear. It is used in both German and Swiss contexts.

How do you pronounce Urs?

The pronunciation of the name Urs is monosyllabic and concise. In German, it is typically pronounced as [ʊʁs], with the name starting with a short, rounded U sound. The consonant cluster "-rs" gives the name a distinctive finish. Urs thus appears reduced and strong – it conveys a down-to-earth, calm, and clear presence.

When is the name day of Urs?

Urs celebrates his name day on September 5 and September 30.

Popularity

In Germany, Urs is a relatively popular first name. Currently, it ranks 2,073rd on the list of most common male first names. Its best placement was in 1930, when it reached 208th place. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 100 times as a first name, placing it 2,419th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 2,155th.

Nicknames & pet names

Büntu / Bünzli / Füdle / Gaaggi / Grüsel / Hurz / Löli / Olm / Plagööri / Schellenursli / Schwafli / Seuniggel / Stirnima / Tschumpel / Tüpfli / Uersi / Uische / Ulf / Ursel / Ursi / Ursl / Ursla / Ursli / Ursula / Uschel / Uschi / Uschl / Vurz / Wurst / Ürsu / Üse

Similar first names

Famous people

• Andreas Urs Sommer (Swiss philosopher)
• Urs A. Meyer (doctor from Switzerland)
• Urs Althaus (Swiss actor)
• Urs Buhler (Swiss musician)
• Urs Bühler (Swiss tenor, member of Il Divo)
• Urs Egger (Swiss film director)
• Urs Eggli (Swiss botanist)
• Urs Eigenmann (Swiss theologian)
• Urs Eiholzer (Swiss doctor)
• Urs Fabian Winiger (South Korean actor)
• Urs Fischer (football coach)
• Urs Frauchiger (Swiss writer)
• Urs Graf (Swiss draftsman and woodcut master)
• Urs Güntensperger (footballer)
• Urs Joseph Flury (composer from Switzerland)
• Urs Kälin (former Swiss alpine skier)
• Urs Kirchgraber (mathematician from Switzerland)
• Urs Lehmann (former Swiss alpine skier)
• Urs Leupold (Swiss geneticist)
• Urs Liska (German pianist)