Nala
Nala is a girls' name of African origin meaning “queen, successful.” It ranked #856 in the United States in 2025. Nala is a Swahili name meaning 'queen' or 'successful.'
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how do you pronounce Nala?
NAH-lah
more about Nala
It became widely known through the lioness character in Disney's 'The Lion King,' which sparked its rise in popularity worldwide.
how popular is this name?
Nala has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 12 years since 2014. It peaked at #675 in 2019, and ranked #856 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #856 |
| 2024 | #752 |
| 2023 | #845 |
| 2022 | #804 |
| 2021 | #740 |
| 2020 | #695 |
| 2019 | #675 |
| 2018 | #741 |
| 2017 | #765 |
| 2016 | #777 |
| 2014 | #993 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Nala fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Nala
Nala is the lioness who becomes Simba's queen in Disney's The Lion King (1994).
who are famous people named Nala?
- Nala (character in The Lion King)
- Nala Ray (American internet personality)
what names are similar to Nala?
what names go well with Nala?
Sibling names that share Nala's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Nala
What does the name Nala mean?
Nala means “queen, successful”.
What is the origin of the name Nala?
Nala comes from the African naming tradition.
How popular is the name Nala?
Nala ranked #856 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data.
Is Nala a boy or girl name?
Nala is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Nala?
Nala is pronounced NAH-lah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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