75%RatingSave Gender Feminine Usage Popular Culture Meaning & History The name of a lion in the animated movie The Lion King (1994). Though many sources claim it means "gift" or "beloved" in Swahili, it does not appear to have a meaning in that language. Related Names Same SpellingNala 1User SubmissionsNâla, Nala PopularityDetails Last ranked #428 in 2021 England and Wales Last ranked #471 in 2020 Netherlands Last ranked #804 in 2022 United States Categories animals, cats, Disney characters, felines, Kingdom Hearts characters, lions, pet names, uncertain etymology