Meaning & Origin
A character in Hindu mythology: the king of Nishada Kingdom, son of Veerasena.
Nala is a girl's baby name with origins in multiple traditions: in African/Swahili contexts, meaning 'successful' or 'beloved'; in Sanskrit, Nala was a king renowned for his nobility. The name became globally recognized through the lioness Nala in Disney's The Lion King (1994), who became one of animated cinema's most beloved heroines.
Nala is short, sweet, and globally resonant — four letters that feel both exotic and immediately approachable. Disney's Nala is brave, loyal, and the one who ultimately saves Pride Rock. For parents who grew up with The Lion King, naming a daughter Nala is a love letter to one of childhood's greatest films.