Rising since 2005, #1,396 for girls today.
Popularity of Ayesha since 1950
Babies named Ayesha per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ayesha's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 126 |
| 1970s | 846 |
| 1980s | 1,214 |
| 1990s | 1,094 |
| 2000s | 1,075 |
| 2010s | 1,393 |
| 2020s | 942 |
Meaning & origin
The name Ayesha, more commonly transliterated as Aisha, entered U.S. records in 1950 and has climbed steadily in use, reflecting a broader trend of Arabic names gaining visibility. By 2025 it ranked 1396, with a 1 in 10,303 incidence rate, and its trajectory shows consistent growth since 2005, peaking in 2022. The name is particularly favored in states with diverse populations, including New York, Maryland, and Washington. Ayesha retains a strong cultural and religious resonance for many families, while also appealing to those drawn to its melodic sound and positive meaning.
Ayesha is the English transcription of the Arabic name Aisha (عائشة), meaning 'alive' or 'living.' It is derived from the Arabic root 'isha (life). The name is historically significant in Islam as the name of Aisha bint Abu Bakr, a wife of the Prophet Muhammad and a prominent early scholar. Though used across the Muslim world for centuries, it began appearing in Western records in the mid-20th century.
Where Ayesha is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ayesha” around the world
Where Ayesha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Aish, Aya, Esha
Sibling names for Ayesha
Names that share Ayesha's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Fatima, Zara, Nadia, Layla, Amal, Iqra, Syeda, Anum, Eshal, Hareem, Mahnoor, Nazia, Sanam, Aayat, Afreen, Fathima, Jannatul, Mahreen, Maleeha, Minahil, Nimra, Rumaisa, Simra, Tasnia, Kainat, Ajwa, Amreen, Erum, Farheen, Faryal, Javeria, Manahil, Ramsha, Rimsha, Roohi, Sameen, Sehrish, Shabana, Shahana, Tasfia, Zeba
Brothers: Omar, Ali, Khalid, Isa, Zayn, Arham, Adeel, Ahmaad, Azan, Faizan, Shaheer, Zohaib, Araf, Burhanuddin, Moiz, Saifan, Shahzaib, Shahzain, Zeeshan, Zeshan, Aliyan, Ashaz, Eesa, Haaris, Rehman, Rohail, Saifullah, Sajjad, Shahmeer, Sufiyan
