Holding steady.
Popularity of Ilisha since 1974
Babies named Ilisha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 25 |
| 1980s | 37 |
| 1990s | 18 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 7 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Ilisha first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1974, a period when creative respellings of traditional names were gaining popularity. Its peak year was 1978, after which usage declined but has remained relatively stable. While the name has never ranked in the top 1000, it has sustained consistent, modest use over the decades. The spelling Ilisha echoes the fashionable 'i-' prefix of the 1970s, giving it a distinctive yet familiar sound. Its Hebrew roots connect it to the biblical Elisha, but it is now used almost entirely for girls.
Ilisha is a modern English respelling of the Hebrew name Elisha (אֱלִישָׁע), composed of elements 'el' meaning 'God' and 'yesha' meaning 'salvation'. It has been used in the United States since the 20th century as a feminine variant, paralleling similar formations like Alicia or Alisha.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ili, Lisha
Sibling names for Ilisha
Names that share Ilisha's style, for a brother or sister.
