Find out how popular the first name Nala has been for the last 45 years (from 1979 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nala by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Nala is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 317 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Nala.

The history of the first name Nala

The name Nala has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language of South Asia. It can be traced back to the Hindu scriptures and texts, particularly the epic Mahabharata, where it was the name of a character associated with the Nala kingdom.

In the Mahabharata, Nala was the name of a King who was known for his skills in chariot racing and his virtuous nature. His story is intertwined with that of Damayanti, his wife, and their trials and tribulations form an integral part of the epic.

The name Nala is derived from the Sanskrit word "nala," which means a reed or a hollow stalk. It is believed that the name was initially used to describe someone who was slender and graceful, like a reed.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nala can be found in the ancient Indian text, the Nalopakhyana, which dates back to around the 4th century BCE. This text is a love story that narrates the life of King Nala and his wife Damayanti.

Throughout history, the name Nala has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the most famous was Nala Damayanti, a 7th-century Indian saint and mystic who was revered for her spiritual teachings and her devotion to Lord Shiva.

Another historical figure with the name Nala was Nala-Raja, a 16th-century Indian ruler who reigned over the Nayaka kingdom of Madurai in present-day Tamil Nadu. He was known for his patronage of the arts and literature.

In the realm of literature, Nala was the name of a character in the 19th-century Bengali novel "Nala-Damayanti" by the renowned author Michael Madhusudan Dutt. This work was based on the ancient Sanskrit epic and helped to popularize the name in modern times.

Additionally, Nala was the name of a character in the novel "The Story of an African Farm" by the South African writer Olive Schreiner, published in 1883. The character was a young African boy, reflecting the use of the name in different cultural contexts.

Throughout history, the name Nala has been associated with grace, strength, and virtue, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and the enduring influence of the ancient Sanskrit texts and epics.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nala was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nala, please contact us.

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