Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nahla
GirlArabic· “a drink of water”
- Meaning
- a drink of water
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- NAH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,850
- US babies 2025
- 60
- Best rank
- #861 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Nahla
Nahla is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “a drink of water”.
Nahla is an Arabic name meaning a drink of water, referring to a first sip that quenches thirst. That image of refreshment gives the name a gentle, life-giving feel. Nahla is used across the Arab world and among Muslim families elsewhere. It sounds soft and musical, with two open syllables and stress on the first. In English it can resemble Nala, the lioness in The Lion King, though the two names are distinct. Nahla pairs well with both traditional and modern middle names.
Popularity over time
Nahla first appears in US Social Security records in 1977. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 3 different years, starting in 2011. Its best national rank was #861 in 2011, the same year it reached its highest count of 306 babies. In 2025, 60 babies were named Nahla, and it ranked #2,850 nationally. That is 70% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #8,391 in 2000, #1,040 in 2010, and #2,850 in 2025. Of the 3,236 US girls named Nahla since records began, 66% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 666 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Bree, Lilyanna, Karis, Saanvi, and Kinsey.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nahla ranked highest in Minnesota, Virginia, and North Carolina.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #808 | 6 |
| Virginia | #1140 | 6 |
| North Carolina | #1390 | 6 |
| California | #2689 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Nahla is usually pronounced NAH-luh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with N and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Nahla
A few middle names that flow with Nahla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nahla
Similar names
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Lists that include Nahla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nahla mean?
Nahla is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “a drink of water”.
What is the origin of the name Nahla?
Nahla has Arabic roots. Nahla is an Arabic name meaning a drink of water, referring to a first sip that quenches thirst.
Is Nahla a popular name?
Not especially. Nahla ranked #2,850 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Nahla a boy or girl name?
Nahla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Nahla?
Nahla is usually pronounced NAH-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings