Holding steady, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Ulla since 1899
Babies named Ulla per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ulla's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 15 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 15 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 17 |
| 2020s | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Ulla entered U.S. baby name records in 1899, its peak year, and has maintained a stable but low profile ever since. In 2025 it ranked 10,917, occurring in 1 in every 200,908 births, reflecting its status as an uncommon Scandinavian import. The name's trajectory has been flat, never experiencing a revival or steep decline. Ulla is most familiar in Nordic countries, where it often serves as a short form for Ulrika or Ulfhild. Its top states and similar names are not recorded, consistent with its rarity. Parents choosing Ulla today are likely drawn to its concise, melodic sound and connection to Norse heritage.
Ulla is a Scandinavian short form of names containing the element 'ul' or 'ulf', such as Ulrika or Ulfhild, or possibly a feminine form of Ullr, the Norse god of winter, hunting, and dueling. The name has been used in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland since the 19th century, often as a nickname that became an independent given name.
Sibling names for Ulla
Names that share Ulla's style, for a brother or sister.
