Nala
Every Nala since 1979 — 6,138 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Nala
Nala is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #856 in 2025 with 317 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1979, 6,138 American babies have been named Nala. Its peak came in 2019, when 428 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Nala stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Nala year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 317 | #856 |
| 2024 | 375 | #753 |
| 2023 | 320 | #846 |
| 2022 | 351 | #804 |
| 2021 | 385 | #741 |
| 2020 | 406 | #695 |
| 2019 | 428 | #679 |
| 2018 | 374 | #742 |
| 2017 | 362 | #766 |
| 2016 | 365 | #777 |
| 2015 | 286 | #950 |
| 2014 | 267 | #994 |
| 2013 | 234 | #1,066 |
| 2012 | 238 | #1,059 |
| 2011 | 158 | #1,438 |
| 2010 | 125 | #1,692 |
| 2009 | 111 | #1,899 |
| 2008 | 119 | #1,820 |
| 2007 | 92 | #2,172 |
| 2006 | 102 | #1,972 |
| 2005 | 71 | #2,478 |
| 2004 | 94 | #1,985 |
| 2003 | 78 | #2,222 |
| 2002 | 48 | #3,052 |
| 2001 | 56 | #2,687 |
| 2000 | 51 | #2,848 |
| 1995 | 85 | #1,724 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Nala in 2025?
Nala ranked #856 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 317 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Nala?
6,138 babies have been named Nala in the United States since 1979, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Nala most popular?
Nala peaked in 2019, when 428 newborns received the name.
Is Nala a boy or girl name?
Nala is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Nala rising or falling?
Nala is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.