This page brings together 12 English names that start with the letter U, running alphabetically from “Una” to “Usher.” These names range from short and lyrical choices to bold biblical and classical picks, with roots in Latin, Hebrew, Irish, and Germanic traditions. Parents, writers, and curious readers use lists like this to find a meaningful name, settle on a character’s name, or simply explore where a favorite name comes from.

English names are the personal first names commonly used across English-speaking countries, drawn from many cultures and shaped by history, religion, and literature. Many carry stories with them, like “Una,” who symbolizes truth in Edmund Spenser’s poem “The Faerie Queene.” Others gained fame through famous people, such as the singer Usher or actress Uma Thurman.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.

Name: This shows the actual first name and its standard spelling, so you can quickly scan the list and find one that catches your eye.

Gender: This tells you whether a name is traditionally used for a male, a female, or both, helping you narrow your search right away.

Origin: This points to the language or culture a name comes from, giving you a sense of its background and the heritage it carries.

Meaning: This explains what the name actually means, so you can choose one with a message or quality that feels right to you.

Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people or characters who share the name, giving you real examples and a feel for how it is used.

Description: This adds a short, friendly summary with extra history and context, helping you understand the name’s character and lasting appeal.

English names

NameGenderOriginMeaningFamous Namesakes
UnaFemaleLatin/Irish“One” or unity; in Irish, from “uan” (lamb)Una Stubbs (actress), Una Healy (singer)
UlyssesMaleLatin form of Greek “Odysseus”“Wrathful” or “hated”Ulysses S. Grant (US President)
UnityFemaleEnglish (virtue name)The state of being united or wholeUnity Mitford (socialite)
UrsulaFemaleLatin“Little bear,” from “ursa” (bear)Ursula Andress (actress), Ursula K. Le Guin (author)
UriahMaleHebrew“God is my light” or “the Lord is my flame”Uriah Heep (Dickens character)
UrielMaleHebrew“God is my light”Uriel (archangel)
UlricMaleEnglish/Germanic“Wolf ruler” or “power of the wolf”Ulric of England (medieval hermit)
UlricaFemaleGermanic/EnglishFeminine of Ulric; “ruler of all” or “wolf power”Ulrica (opera character)
UmaFemaleSanskrit (adopted in English)“Tranquility” or “splendor”; a name of the goddess ParvatiUma Thurman (actress)
UrbanMaleLatin“Of the city,” from “urbanus”Urban (several popes)
UzielMaleHebrew“God is my strength” or “my power is God”Uziel (biblical figure)
UsherMaleEnglish (occupational)One who shows people to seats; doorkeeperUsher (singer)

Descriptions

Una
A short, lyrical name meaning “one,” popularized by Edmund Spenser’s “The Faerie Queene,” where Una symbolizes truth. It enjoys steady use in Ireland and Britain.
Ulysses
The Latin name for the Greek hero Odysseus, evoking epic adventure and endurance. It is best known in the English-speaking world through President Ulysses S. Grant and James Joyce’s novel.
Unity
A Puritan-era virtue name expressing harmony and togetherness. Rare but distinctive, it experienced brief notoriety through one of the famous Mitford sisters.
Ursula
A classic name derived from the Latin for bear, carried by an early Christian saint and martyr. It feels both vintage and strong, with notable literary and film associations.
Uriah
A biblical name belonging to a loyal soldier in the Old Testament. In English culture it is also tied to the scheming Uriah Heep from Dickens’s “David Copperfield.”
Uriel
The name of one of the archangels in Jewish and Christian tradition, meaning “light of God.” Though biblical in root, it has gained gentle popularity as an English given name.
Ulric
An old English and Germanic name combining “wolf” and “ruler,” conveying strength and leadership. Once common in medieval England, it is now rare and antique-sounding.
Ulrica
The feminine counterpart to Ulric, suggesting power and nobility. It remains uncommon but has a stately, old-world charm in English-speaking countries.
Uma
Though Sanskrit in origin, this short, elegant name became widely recognized in the English-speaking world through actress Uma Thurman. It is prized for its simplicity and grace.
Urban
A name meaning city-dweller or refined, borne by several popes throughout history. It feels modern and crisp despite its ancient Latin roots.
Uziel
A biblical name expressing divine strength, occasionally adopted in English-speaking communities. It carries a bold, spiritual resonance.
Usher
Originally an English surname from the occupation of doorkeeper, it has become a recognizable first name largely through the R&B singer Usher.
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