Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Nala
GirlSanskrit, Swahili· “uncertain; also a hero of Indian epic”
- Meaning
- uncertain; also a hero of Indian epic (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Swahili
- Pronunciation
- NAH-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #856
- US babies 2025
- 317
- Best rank
- #679 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Nala
Nala is often said to mean “uncertain; also a hero of Indian epic”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Sanskrit and Swahili roots.
Nala has more than one source. In Indian tradition Nala is a king in the Mahabharata whose love story with Damayanti is one of the best-known episodes of the epic. In the West the name is known above all from the lioness Nala in Disney's The Lion King, and it is often said to have a Swahili meaning such as gift or successful, though this is not well documented. Its meaning is therefore uncertain. Nala is short, sweet and easy to pronounce, with a gentle rhythm similar to Lana and Mila.
Popularity over time
Nala first appears in US Social Security records in 1979. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 12 different years, starting in 2014. Its best national rank was #679 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 428 babies. In 2025, 317 babies were named Nala, and it ranked #856 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,848 in 2000, #1,692 in 2010, and #856 in 2025. Of the 6,138 US girls named Nala since records began, 46% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,154 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Milena, Livia, Kairi, Mercy, and Kamiyah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Nala ranked highest in Georgia, Nevada, and Alabama.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Nala is usually pronounced NAH-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with N and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Nala
A few middle names that flow with Nala: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Nala
Similar names
Ila Girl
EE-luh
“earth” · Sanskrit
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BEL-uh
“beautiful” · Italian
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Lila Girl
LY-luh
“play (Sanskrit); night (Arabic)” · Sanskrit
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Lola Girl
LOH-luh
“short for Dolores, sorrows” · Spanish
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Kali Girl
KAH-lee
“the black one” · Sanskrit
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Leela Girl
LEE-luh
“play, divine play” · Sanskrit
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Nila Girl
NEE-luh
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Shaila Girl
SHY-luh
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Neela Girl
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Kayla Girl
KAY-luh
“modern coinage; possibly from Kay” · American (modern coinage)
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Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
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Jayla Girl
JAY-luh
“blend of Jay and -la” · American (modern coinage)
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Lists that include Nala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nala mean?
Nala is often said to mean “uncertain; also a hero of Indian epic”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Sanskrit and Swahili roots.
What is the origin of the name Nala?
Nala has Sanskrit and Swahili roots. Nala has more than one source.
Is Nala a popular name?
Yes. Nala ranked #856 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Nala a boy or girl name?
Nala is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Nala?
Nala 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