A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Kesha since 1964
Babies named Kesha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 276 |
| 1970s | 2,668 |
| 1980s | 1,456 |
| 1990s | 615 |
| 2000s | 125 |
| 2010s | 81 |
| 2020s | 27 |
Meaning & origin
Kesha is a name that gained modest recognition in the U.S. starting in the 1960s, first recorded in 1964. It reached its peak popularity in 1974, though it never broke into the top 1,000. After a steady decline, the name has been rising again since 2020, ranking 11,932 in 2025 with a frequency of 1 in 229,610 newborns. While not associated with any particular state, its revival aligns with a broader trend toward vintage and biblical names. The name's similarity to the pop star Kesha (born 1987) may have contributed to its recent uptick, though the singer's spelling is typically without the 'h'.
Kesha is a variant of Keziah, which appears in the Old Testament as the name of Job's second daughter (Job 42:14). The name derives from the Hebrew word 'keziah', meaning 'cassia', a type of cinnamon-like spice. Kesha emerged as an English form, partly influenced by the popularity of similar-sounding names like Tasha.
Where Kesha 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kesh, Kiki
Sibling names for Kesha
Names that share Kesha's style, for a brother or sister.
