Nalo

♂ Boy

Pronounced NAH-loh /ˈnɑ.loʊ/Medium

Meaning: From an African (often glossed Bantu/East African) name Nalo, 'much loved; the beloved'; the gloss variesLow

In 30 seconds: Much loved: Nalo is an African name, often 'much loved; the beloved'. Soft, warm, and lyrical.

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Origin LowAfrican

MeaningFrom an African (often glossed Bantu/East African) name Nalo, 'much loved; the beloved'; the gloss varies

U.S. rank (2025)#5335 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births18 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 69

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

Nalo comes from African naming (often glossed as Bantu/East African) — 'much loved; the beloved' (the precise origin and meaning vary and are layered, which we flag). A soft, warm, lyrical name (author Nalo Hopkinson).

In the U.S. it appears across communities. Rare, much-loved at the (glossed) root, and warm.

Did you know? Nalo is an African name, often glossed 'much loved; the beloved' — a soft, warm name (author Nalo Hopkinson); the gloss varies, which we note.

Overall data confidence 55%

References — Nalo — gloss varies

Variations

Naloh

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nalo mean?

Nalo is an African name, often glossed 'much loved; the beloved'; the gloss varies, which we note.

How do you pronounce Nalo?

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

Is Nalo a boy or girl name?

Nalo is a boy's name (used for both).

How popular is Nalo?

Nalo is a rare name in the U.S.