Orsola is an Italian name of Latin origin, derived from the word "orsus," which means "dawn." It was popularized during the Middle Ages when it was used as a shortened form of the name Orsolaia, itself a derivative of the Latin word "aurora," meaning "dawn" or "sunrise." In some regions, such as Tuscany and Sicily, Orsola is also used as a short form of the compound name Orsolaccia, which combines the elements "orsus" and "lacius" (meaning "lakeside"). The name has been traditionally associated with wisdom and beauty.
Orsola is a rare name with only five known instances of its use as a given name between 1920 and present day.