![the lion king song trainslation the lion king song trainslation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Qd4tUVJ9BGs/maxresdefault.jpg)
![the lion king song trainslation the lion king song trainslation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/43wVe90rLKI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Timon is one of the few characters in the film who does not have an African name. In the film, that’s not the only unusual thing about him. Meerkats are very social creatures living in “mobs” or “gangs” of relatives, but Timon has chosen instead to hang out with his warthog friend Pumba. Let’s take a look at Simba’s cheeky friends in the jungle. Some might say the lionesses are blessed with the most beautiful names. Simba’s mother’s name, Sarabi, means “mirage” an interesting choice, but a gorgeous word nonetheless. Nala, Simba’s dear friend and betrothed, is bestowed with the name “gift” or “beloved” which is what Nala means in Swahili, and her mother’s name Sarafina means “bright star”. Oh, and did you know Rafiki means “friend” in Swahili? The Lionesses It’s the wide-open plains of the Masai Mara (Kenya) and the Serengeti (Tanzania) that set the stage for our friends Simba, Nala, Timon, Pumba and Rafiki.
![the lion king song trainslation the lion king song trainslation](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/swt62Fwv-5I/maxresdefault.jpg)
In fact, many of the lovable (and some not so lovable) Disney film’s character’s names are from the beautiful Swahili language, the predominant language spoken in East Africa – specifically Kenya and Tanzania. Simba too, is a very literal translation, it’s simply the Swahili word for lion. It makes perfect sense then that it means “king” in the Manazoto language. Anyone who has seen the 90s version of The Lion King will remember the iconic line “ Mufasa, I Hear That Name and I just shudder…” “Mufasa, Mufasa, Mufasa!” It’s a name that commands respect and evokes a sense of power but also paternal love.