The name is in part derived from the town where they were first observed, Gabela.
The Gabela Akalat (Sheppardia gabela), a species of bird, was first recorded here by scientists and subsequently named after the town, as were the Gabela Helmet-shrike (Prionops gabela) and Gabela Bush-shrike (Laniarius amboimensis); these endangered species are only found in the uplands near Gabela.