Nala Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Nala originates from Sanskrit, meaning 'stem' or 'tuber'. It has evolved through various languages, maintaining its roots in South Asian culture. The name is associated with traits of nobility and virtue and has gained modern popularity in part due to its representation in media. There is no biblical relevance to the name.
The name Nala is most popular in Florida, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Nala has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Nala' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 19264th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7293rd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2018th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 796th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Nala' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Nala"
Pronunciation
/ˈnɑːlə/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Nala is derived from the Sanskrit word 'नल' which means 'stem' or 'tuber'. In Hindu mythology, Nala is a character known for his nobility and virtue.
Meaning
stem, tuber
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: नल (Nala), Pali: Nala, Modern English: Nala
Historical Usage
The name Nala has been used in various cultural contexts, particularly in South Asia. It gained popularity in contemporary times, especially after its use in popular media such as Disney's 'The Lion King'.
Variants & Derivatives
Nalah, Nalani, Nalita
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Nala is perceived as a strong and feminine name, often associated with bravery and loyalty due to its use in popular culture.
Famous People
Nala, character from 'The Lion King', Nala, a prominent figure in Indian mythology and literature
Explore More Nala Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Nala"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Nala"
"Nala" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 19264th of 19264 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7293rd of 27321 | 160 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2018th of 35406 | 1,502 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 796th of 30306 | 4,148 |
Regional Popularity of "Nala" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Nala" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
93.54% 3447th/3685 |
75.62% 3384th/4475 |
76.32% 3964th/5194 |
74.56% 4710th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
43.15% 1977th/4582 |
33.48% 1729th/5164 |
26.17% 1914th/7313 |
34.33% 2562nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
19.73% 786th/3984 |
16.27% 730th/4487 |
10.67% 728th/6822 |
16.08% 1009th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Nala"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Nala" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.