"festivity, celebration"
Origin: Spanish/Italian
Language: English
Gala
Pronunciation: [ g-AL-uh ]
Does Gala flow with your last name?
A festive Italian-Spanish name meaning pure celebration
Spanish
Italian
Russian
Catalan
Elegant
Unique
Bold
Whimsical
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Gala
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"calm, tranquil"
Origin: Slavic via Galina
Language: Russian
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Gala
See all →What the Gala report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Gala the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Gala
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Gala head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Gala
Gala derives from the Spanish and Italian word for festivity or celebration. It has also been used as a nickname for Galina, a Slavic name meaning calm. The name is famously associated with Gala Dali, the muse and wife of Salvador Dali, born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova in Russia.
Gala is rising as a given name due to its vibrant, celebratory meaning and the influence of artist muse culture. Gala Dali gave the name an air of artistic mystery and sophistication that continues to appeal.
Gala Dali was one of the most influential muses in 20th century art, inspiring works by Salvador Dali, Paul Eluard, and others. She managed Dalis career and is considered integral to his success. The name carries her legacy of artistic passion.
Historical Record
Gala first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,885 babies have been named Gala in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Gala is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,300 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Gala Dali born Elena Diakonova was the muse of both Paul Eluard and Salvador Dali
- Salvador Dali purchased a castle for Gala in Pubol, Catalonia, where she lived independently
Gala in Other Languages
French
Gala
Catalan
Gala
Italian
Gala
Russian
Gala (from Galina)
Spanish
Gala
Popularity Over Time
#2,300
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Gala
G
Gala Porras
Athlete
1981
Spanish professional golfer who competed on the Ladies European Tour
G
Gala Dali
Other
1894
Russian-born muse and wife of Salvador Dali, who managed his career and inspired many of his greatest works
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,300
- Total SSA Count
- 80
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Italian Russian Catalan
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Gala
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Gala
Phonetic neighbors that share Gala's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Gala fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Gala →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Gala with...
Same Origin Names (Spanish)
See all Spanish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Gala
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Gala and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Gala sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Coco
Girl
West African origin
"help, caring"
#2,399 in US
Dianna
Girl
Latin/Indo-European origin
"goddess"
#2,466 in US
Miamor
Girl
Latin meus + amor origin
"my love (term of endearment)"
#2,451 in US
Mayah
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"illusion, divine power"
#2,261 in US
Audriana
Girl
Old English/Latin blend origin
"noble strength from Hadria"
#2,391 in US
Mirabella
Girl
Italian origin
"worthy of wonder"
#2,492 in US
Zarina
Girl
Persian origin
"queen, royal woman"
#2,329 in US
Rosanna
Girl
Latin and Hebrew compound origin
"gracious rose"
#2,251 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Gala's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gala
What does the name Gala mean?
"festivity, celebration" (from Spanish/Italian). "calm, tranquil" (from Slavic via Galina). Gala derives from the Spanish and Italian word for festivity or celebration. It has also been used as a nickname for Galina, a Slavic name meaning calm. The name is famously associated with Gala Dali, the muse and wife of Salvador Dali, born Elena Ivanovna Diakonova in Russia.
What is the origin of the name Gala?
Gala has Spanish/Italian, Slavic via Galina, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Catalan origins. In Spanish/Italian, it means "festivity, celebration". In Slavic via Galina, it means "calm, tranquil".
Is Gala a boy or girl name?
Gala is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Gala?
Gala is pronounced g-AL-uh.
How popular is the name Gala?
Gala is currently ranked #2300 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Gala?
Popular middle name pairings include Gala Sofia, Gala Marina, Gala Valentina, Gala Rosa, Gala Luz, and Gala Elena.
What are good sibling names for Gala?
Names that pair well with Gala as siblings include Luca, Aria, Marco, Chiara, Nico, and Vita.
How many syllables does Gala have?
Gala has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Gala a common or rare name?
Gala is an uncommon name, ranked #2300 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Gala?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Gala
Gala is a girl name with Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Catalan origins . The name means "festivity, celebration" in Spanish/Italian .
Gala is currently ranked #2,300 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Gala has 2 syllables and is pronounced g-AL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Gala include Galilea, Galilee, Galia . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Spanish/Italian Names
Browse all names with this origin
G
Names Starting with G
More girl names like Gala
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis