Declining since 2016, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Nyala since 1987
Babies named Nyala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 32 |
| 2000s | 111 |
| 2010s | 117 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Nyala entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1987, a modern invention likely drawn from the name of the graceful African antelope. Its usage climbed through the 2000s, reaching a peak rank of 11,932 in 2009, the year it was most frequently chosen. Since 2016, however, the name has been on a falling trajectory, and by 2025 it had an incidence of roughly 1 in every 229,610 newborn girls. Nyala has not been recorded in any particular state's top ranks, reflecting its rarity. The name's appeal may stem from its melodic sound and exotic feel, but its ultimate origins remain unclear, as it does not trace back to any established cultural tradition. For parents seeking a distinctive, nature-inspired name without historical baggage, Nyala offers a fresh option, albeit one that has become less common in recent years.
Nyala is a modern coinage, first recorded as a given name in the United States in 1987. It may have been inspired by the nyala (Tragelaphus angasii), a spiral-horned antelope native to southern Africa. The name saw modest popularity in the 2000s, peaking in 2009, and has since declined in usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nya, Yala
Variants: Niala
Sibling names for Nyala
Names that share Nyala's style, for a brother or sister.
