Holding steady.
Popularity of Keshia since 1964
Babies named Keshia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 202 |
| 1970s | 1,285 |
| 1980s | 2,655 |
| 1990s | 1,129 |
| 2000s | 94 |
| 2010s | 15 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Keshia is a modern American name that first appeared in recorded U.S. data in 1964. Its most notable period of use was the 1980s, reaching a peak in 1986, when it was given to hundreds of girls each year. Since then, its popularity has declined steadily; as of 2025 the name does not appear in the national rankings and its per-year frequency is less than 1-in-N. The name reflects the broader cultural trend of the late 20th century in which African American families adopted creative respellings of existing names, giving rise to a distinctive phonetic identity. While no single top state stands out in the data, Keshia has been most common in states with larger African American populations. Despite its decline, the name retains a nostalgic character tied to the era of its peak use.
Keshia emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century as a variant of Keisha, itself a respelling of Keziah or related to Aisha. The name gained popularity among African American families in the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting a trend of creating distinctive phonetic spellings. It peaked in 1986 when it ranked within the top 1,000 names for girls.
Where Keshia 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, Kia
Sibling names for Keshia
Names that share Keshia's style, for a brother or sister.
