
The short answer
Nala is a feminine name used in Hinduism. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Means ‘stem’ in Sanskrit. This is the name of a king of the Nishadha people in the Hindu epic the Mahabharata." It ranked #856 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, means ‘stem’ in Sanskrit. This is the name of a king of the Nishadha people in the Hindu epic the Mahabharata. The entry lists its usage as Hinduism.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Nala ranked #856 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #856 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Hinduism) and that sit near Nala in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nala mean?
Nala means "stem", according to Behind the Name.
Is Nala a popular name?
Nala ranked #856 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Nala a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Nala appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it masculine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Nala (1) — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.