Nala
Nala is a girl's name of African origin.
Meaning
Gift, beloved, or queen.
Origin and history
Nala is a name of African origin, most commonly associated with the Swahili word meaning 'gift' or 'beloved'. It gained immense global popularity following the release of Disney's The Lion King in 1994. In the United States, it has experienced steady growth as a contemporary choice for modern parents.
Popularity in the United States
6,138 babies in the United States have been named Nala since 1880. It ranks #2181 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #745.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.1 %)
- FL (9.4 %)
- TX (9.1 %)
- NY (9 %)
- GA (6.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 5 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 320 |
| 2000-2010 | 822 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,837 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,154 |
Fun facts
- The name's popularity surged after the 1994 animated movie The Lion King introduced Nala as a central character.
- In addition to its Swahili roots, Nala is also a male name in Hindu mythology meaning 'stem' or 'hollow reed'.