Names That Mean Bear

Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. The bear meaning gives it a new trendy edge as an animal name.

Unusual multicultural choice that may appeal to the artistically inclined. The bear meaning gives it a new trendy edge as an animal name.

One of those slender names, like Lena or Etta, that's used in several cultures and carries a range of meanings. But by being so many things, it doesn't feel decidedly like anything.

The first name of famed designer Balenciaga, was also the birth name of Christopher Columbus--aka Cristobal Colon. A name still well used in the Hispanic community.

Fierce meaning, gentle image. This name is very common in Israel, where an endearing pet form is Dubi.

Berengaria was one of the medieval queens of England - married to Richard I (also known as Richard the Lionheart). She was originally from Navarre (in modern northern Spain) and despite being the Queen of England, she only lived in England after her husband had died. Despite its royal roots, Berengaria is one of the less attractive medieval names, although it gets points for having an unusually strong meaning for a feminine name.

As dated as the old Pat Boone song.

This Welsh name, also used in France, is the name of a 6th century saint who went to Brittany and established abbeys. Armel has a pleasant and familiar sound, making it easily used outside of Wales and France.

This evocative Spanish surname would make an unusual but lively choice for a girl.

Orson is being rediscovered and Orsino is every bit as attractive.

Also spelled Artūrs, this is one of many international forms of the classic Arthur. Both spellings of the name are popular in Latvia and ranked in the Top 100 in a recent year. Notable bearers include Latvian ice hockey players Artūrs Irbe and Artūrs_Šilovs, Olympic rower Artūrs Garonskis, and chess player Arturs Neikšāns. In Latvian, the sounds are just slightly gentler than they are in the English pronunciation.

The advantage of Orsa over the arguably-more-attractive Ursula is that it breaks the tie to the hideous she-witch of The Little Mermaid. Orsa definitely feels more ready for modern life now that brother name Orson is on the rise.

Cool bearlike option, though Orson might be easier to embrace.

Reversed vowels make it seem less fierce.

If you're looking for a girl's name that honors an ancestral Arthur, try Artis.

If you're looking for a girl's name that honors an ancestral Arthur, try Artis.

Berangere has never seen much usage in the US, but it has an interesting meaning of "bear spear." The name it stems from—Berengaria—was used as a common royal name during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Corsican form of Ursus

Too close in sound to the so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out Bernard.

Derived from the Gaulish and old Celtic word artos meaning "bear", Artula shares its roots with the classic boy name Arthur. Some sources also suggest it could be linked, or even part of the inspiration behind the Latin name Ursula, which has the same meaning, but from the Latin Ursa.