Rising since 1989, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Masha since 1951
Babies named Masha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 8 |
| 1970s | 42 |
| 1980s | 55 |
| 1990s | 73 |
| 2000s | 97 |
| 2010s | 140 |
| 2020s | 150 |
Meaning & origin
Masha is a Russian diminutive of Mary that has gained recognition as an independent given name. First recorded in the United States in 1951, it remained relatively obscure for decades before beginning a consistent rise in usage starting in 1989. Its peak rank came in 2022, and as of 2025 it ranks 6838th with 1 in 100,454 newborns receiving the name. Masha's trajectory reflects a broader interest in Slavic names and diminutives as standalone choices. While it does not appear in any U.S. state popularity lists, its appeal likely stems from its soft sound and cross-cultural recognition, particularly from literary and folkloric associations.
Masha originated as a common Russian diminutive of Maria (Mary), from the Hebrew name Miriam. While the exact meaning of Miriam is debated, it has traditionally been interpreted as 'bitter' or 'beloved.' Masha gained independent use as a given name in the 20th century, particularly in Russia and other Slavic-speaking countries.
“Masha” around the world
Where Masha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mashenka, Mashulya, Mashka
Sibling names for Masha
Names that share Masha's style, for a brother or sister.
