Baby Name Popularity Profile

Nala

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Nala.

✦ Stem, stalk, or gift 🌍 Sanskrit, Other nature mythological
National Rank (2025) #856
All-Time Peak Rank #679 Achieved 2019
Total U.S. Births 6,138 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 0.0% Boy / 100.0% Girl Female Archetype
First Recorded 1979 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2010s 428 births in 2019
💡 The Nala Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Stem, stalk, or gift
Language Origin Sanskrit, Other
Origin Type multiple
Derived from Sanskrit meaning 'stem, stalk' and from Swahili meaning 'gift'.
Alternative Spellings
Nahla
Pronunciation: NAH-lah
Themes & Categories
nature mythological
Etymology confidence: Medium · Under review

📖 The Story Behind Nala

According to SSA data, Nala achieved its highest historical rank of #679 in 2019. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2019 with 428 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have increased by 10.8%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 32 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Nala across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift +10.8% Growth
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 428 births in 2019
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 0 yrs
Registry Streak 32 yrs
Historical Volatility Moderately Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 0
1920s: 0
1930s: 0
1940s: 0
1950s: 0
1960s: 0
1970s: 5
1980s: 0
1990s: 320
2000s: 822
2010s: 2,837
2020s: 2,154

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Na-la
Letter Count 4 letters
Spelling Complexity Easy
Length Percentile Longer than 1.4% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 1.4% of SSA names. Starts with N, a letter used by only 3.6% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Nala.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Florida
Top States Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina
States with Data 37
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Florida #646 444 2022 Stable
Georgia #575 320 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Nevada #580 31 2017 Insufficient historical volume
North Carolina #763 264 2016 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #880 118 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #885 94 2020 Insufficient historical volume
Maryland #704 106 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana Unranked 112 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #693 132 2022 Insufficient historical volume
California #931 573 2020 27.9% Decline
Texas #796 433 2020 7.3% Decline
New York #936 426 2018 43.3% Decline
New Jersey #759 141 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #801 106 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #734 217 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Michigan #770 174 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #735 217 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri Unranked 95 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin Unranked 78 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #1553 201 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #618 67 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Indiana #708 86 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Connecticut Unranked 37 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Mississippi Unranked 33 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Delaware Unranked 5 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Washington Unranked 36 2018 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas Unranked 21 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Massachusetts Unranked 46 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado Unranked 21 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Oklahoma Unranked 21 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Kentucky #833 24 2020 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 6 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Utah Unranked 10 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon Unranked 11 2019 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas Unranked 11 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Minnesota Unranked 18 2024 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa Unranked 10 2018 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Kyree Casen Cason Emmitt Raylan Lennon Cayson Brycen Jagger Khalid
👧 Sister Suggestions
Maci Kenna Rayna Dylan Keyla Mercy Jemma Raina Ayleen Lyanna

🔗 Names You Might Also Like

Based on statistical similarity and shared characteristics with Nala:

Demographic & Volume Peers
Naya Nola Nika Nura Nela Naila Noella Navya Nessa Nahla
More nature Names
Browse all nature names → Browse Sanskrit names →

🗂️ Browse More Baby Names

Explore our name indexes and data tracks:

👧 Top Girl Names → 2-Syllable Names → 4-Letter Names → More Modern Trend Names → Sanskrit Origin Names → nature Names → Names Peaking in 2019 → 🗺️ Regional State Data →