Declining since 1990, #3,211 for girls today.
Popularity of Misha since 1954
Babies named Misha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 12 | 0 |
| 1960s | 138 | 5 |
| 1970s | 615 | 38 |
| 1980s | 739 | 85 |
| 1990s | 733 | 89 |
| 2000s | 656 | 86 |
| 2010s | 868 | 157 |
| 2020s | 494 | 143 |
Meaning & origin
Misha first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1954 and saw its peak popularity in 1991, when it ranked highest among baby names. By 2025, its rank had fallen to 3211, with an incidence of about 1 in 32801 newborns, reflecting a steady decline in usage since the 1990s. The name is most popular in Florida, California, and Texas. As a diminutive of Mikhail, Misha carries the Hebrew meaning 'who is like God?' and has broad cross-cultural appeal, moving from a Russian nickname to a standalone choice in the English-speaking world. Its soft sound and unisex quality contribute to its enduring, if niche, presence in the United States.
Misha is a common Russian diminutive of Mikhail, the Russian form of Michael. Michael comes from the Hebrew phrase mī kāʼēl, meaning "who is like God?" As a standalone name, Misha gained use in English-speaking countries during the 20th century, often chosen for its soft sound and cross-cultural appeal.
Where Misha is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Misha” around the world
Where Misha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Quebec
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mish, Mishka
Variants: Mischa
Sibling names for Misha
Names that share Misha's style, for a brother or sister.
