Nala Girl

Popularity: #594 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationNAH-lah / /ˈnɑː.lə/

Swahili; Sanskrit

Meaning

Swahili: successful; Sanskrit: stem

Historical & Cultural Background

Nala is a name of Swahili origin, commonly associated with the meaning of 'successful.' It gained popularity in Western cultures largely due to its use in Disney's animated film 'The Lion King,' where Nala is a strong and supportive character. The name also appears in Sanskrit, where it refers to a stem or a reed, adding to its diverse cultural significance.

Trend Summary

Nala has seen a rise in popularity in the United States, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s, largely influenced by popular media.

Similar Names

NinaLanaMilaZinaNaya

Variants

  • Nahla

International Variants

  • Nala (Swahili)
  • Nālā (Sanskrit)

Famous people named Nala

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Fictional characters named Nala

Nala from 'The Lion King' is the main female character and love interest of Simba.

Nala from 'The Lion Guard' is a key character who supports her friends in their adventures.

Sibling Suggestions

MayaZaraLilaKiraTalaSana

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Nala was first seen in the United States in 1979. Nala has ranked as high as #954 nationally, which occurred in 2019, and has been most popular in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Nala has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Nala (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 43
14%
NY 26
8%
TX 25
8%
GA 25
8%
FL 23
7%
NC 20
6%
OH 14
4%
PA 14
4%
IL 12
4%
MO 10
3%
AZ 10
3%
LA 9
3%
VA 8
3%
NJ 8
3%
MN 8
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19795
199424
199585
199651
199755
199854
199951
200051
200156
200248
200378
200494
200571
2006102
200792
2008119
2009111
2010124
2011158
2012238
2013234
2014267
2015286
2016364
2017362
2018373
2019428
2020406
2021384
2022351
2023319
2024374