A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Kisha since 1963
Babies named Kisha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 400 |
| 1970s | 3,811 |
| 1980s | 1,800 |
| 1990s | 438 |
| 2000s | 137 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 25 |
Meaning & origin
Kisha first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1963 and reached its peak popularity in 1975, making it a distinctive choice for that era. After a period of decline, the name has been rising in use since 2017, showing a modest revival. The name is part of a broader African American naming tradition that flourished in the mid-20th century, often featuring the prefixes La- or Sha- combined with other elements. While Kisha has never ranked in the top 1,000 names overall, its revival trajectory since 2017 suggests a renewed interest among parents seeking short, melodic names with a vintage feel. As a modern coinage, Kisha's meaning is not fixed, allowing bearers to imbue it with personal significance.
Kisha emerged in the United States in the 1960s, likely as a variant of Keisha, which itself is a shortened form of Lakeisha. Lakeisha is part of a trend of African American names formed by combining the prefix La- with names like Keisha, which may have origins in the Akan name Akosua. The name gained modest popularity in the 1970s and has been in occasional use since.
Where Kisha 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: Ki, Kiki, Sha
Sibling names for Kisha
Names that share Kisha's style, for a brother or sister.
