Pumba is the alternate spelling of Pumbaa — the lovable, flatulent warthog from The Lion King whose Swahili name means "simpleminded" or "to be absentminded." The single-a spelling is the more common registry form and reads as slightly softened from the original. No matter the spelling, the reference is unmistakable: this is a name for a dog with an enormous personality and absolutely zero self-awareness about it.
The Lion King Pet Name Legacy
The Lion King (1994) remains one of the most enduring sources of pet names in American registries. Simba is the dominant name from the film, but Pumba/Pumbaa has its own dedicated following among owners who identify more with the cheerful comic relief than the destined hero. The 2019 live-action remake renewed interest in both names. Bulldogs and other stocky, barrel-chested dogs suit Pumbaa's physical archetype.
The Hakuna Matata Pairing
Pumba is almost always mentally paired with Timon — households with two dogs often name them Timon and Pumbaa, one of the most recognizable buddy-name combinations in American pet naming. The pairing works across size differences: a small, quick dog (Timon) and a larger, lumbering one (Pumba) maps onto the original characters naturally.
The Counter-Reading
Pumba's Swahili meaning — simpleminded — is not flattering when translated directly, though few people know the etymology. The Disney association is so dominant that the original meaning is essentially invisible in everyday use. The human name Pumba does not exist in SSA data.