Declining since 2007, #4,987 for girls today.
Popularity of Mischa since 1953
Babies named Mischa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 16 | 0 |
| 1960s | 87 | 6 |
| 1970s | 217 | 61 |
| 1980s | 128 | 80 |
| 1990s | 76 | 21 |
| 2000s | 545 | 11 |
| 2010s | 471 | 0 |
| 2020s | 153 | 19 |
Meaning & origin
Mischa first recorded in 1953, Mischa saw its peak popularity in 2008, when it reached rank 4,987. As of 2025, approximately 1 in 61,818 newborns receives the name, placing it among rarer choices. The name has been on a downward trajectory since 2007, reflecting shifting tastes away from this Slavic diminutive. Mischa is most often found in California, which leads among top states. Its dual heritage as both a Russian diminutive for Mikhail and a Yiddish nickname for Moses gives the name a cross-cultural appeal, while its gentle sound has kept it in quiet, steady use for decades.
Mischa originated as a Russian and Yiddish diminutive of names such as Mikhail (Michael) or Moses. In Russian, Misha is the standard diminutive for Mikhail, while Mischa is a variant spelling often used in German and English contexts. It gained limited use in English-speaking countries as a standalone given name, particularly for girls, from the mid-20th century onward.
Where Mischa is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mischa” around the world
Where Mischa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mish, Mishy
Variants: Misha, Misia, Mischka
Sibling names for Mischa
Names that share Mischa's style, for a brother or sister.
