Nalla

♀ Girl

Pronounced NAH-luh /ˈnɑ.lə/Medium

Meaning: Nalla spells Nala, a name best known in the U.S. from the lioness in The Lion King. Nala also has older lives: in Sanskrit it appears as a name in the Mahabharata, and it is sometimes given African glosses such as 'gift' — those glosses are not well documented, so we flag them rather than assert them. Routes uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A round two-beat name: Nalla spells Nala, known from The Lion King and with older Sanskrit ties (said 'NAH-luh'). Routes uncertain.

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningNalla spells Nala, a name best known in the U.S. from the lioness in The Lion King. Nala also has older lives: in Sanskrit it appears as a name in the Mahabharata, and it is sometimes given African glosses such as 'gift' — those glosses are not well documented, so we flag them rather than assert them. Routes uncertain.

U.S. rank (2024)#14701 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 122

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nalla is a spelling of Nala. In the U.S. the name arrived with Disney's lioness, but it has older roots: Nala is a name in the Sanskrit Mahabharata, and various African glosses (most often 'gift') circulate without solid documentation. We prefer to flag those than to state them as fact. The routes are uncertain, and we note it. Rare, round and warm (said 'NAH-luh').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S., behind Nala. Rare, warm, and pop-culture touched.

Did you know? Most American families meet Nala as the lioness of The Lion King, but the name is older than the film — it appears in the Sanskrit epics. The popular African glosses are poorly documented, and we flag that rather than repeat them (said 'NAH-luh').

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Nalla — Nala spelling; Lion King; Sanskrit Mahabharata; African glosses undocumented

Variations

NalaNalahNahla

Nicknames

NalLala

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nalla…

Nala— the standard spelling Nalla respells

Layla— a like warm two-beat name

Bella— a like round -lla ending pick

Calla— a near-rhyme, flower-named

Explore names like Nalla

By themeuncertain respelling warm pop-culture

By meaningRoyal / Noble Gift / Blessing Lion

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nalla mean?

Nalla spells Nala, known from The Lion King and found in the Sanskrit epics. Popular African glosses are not well documented, so we flag them rather than assert them. Routes uncertain.

How do you pronounce Nalla?

It's said NAH-luh /ˈnɑ.lə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nalla a boy or girl name?

Nalla is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Nalla?

Nalla is a rare name for girls in the U.S., behind the spelling Nala.