The constellation Ursa Major, commonly known as the Great Bear, gets its name from its resemblance to a bear in ancient Greek mythology. Here's the story:

* The Myth of Callisto: The myth tells the story of Callisto, a nymph who was loved by Zeus, the king of the gods. Hera, Zeus's wife, was incredibly jealous and turned Callisto into a bear.

* Zeus's Intervention: Zeus, heartbroken by Callisto's fate, placed her in the sky as the constellation Ursa Major. He also placed her son, Arcas, in the sky as the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear).

Why a Bear? The specific star pattern of Ursa Major has been interpreted as a bear by many cultures throughout history. The seven brightest stars in the constellation form the familiar "Big Dipper" shape, which, depending on one's imagination, can be seen as the bear's body and tail.

Other Cultures: While the Greek myth is the most well-known, other cultures have their own stories about Ursa Major. For instance, in ancient India, it was known as the "Seven Sages" or "The Great Bear."

So, the name "Ursa Major" comes from the ancient Greek myth and its association with the bear, which was inspired by the constellation's shape.