Declining since 2019, #3,712 for girls today.
Popularity of Mishka since 1993
Babies named Mishka per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 69 |
| 2010s | 427 |
| 2020s | 272 |
Meaning & origin
Mishka first entered U.S. records in 1993, and by 2025 it ranked 3,712 with approximately 1 in 40,182 births. Its peak year was 2019, after which its usage has been declining. The name has seen particular favor in Washington and California. As a Russian diminutive meaning 'little bear', Mishka carries a warm, affectionate quality that appeals to parents seeking a name with international charm. Its association with the classic nickname for Mikhail gives it a cross-cultural versatility, though in the U.S. it has shifted toward feminine use.
Mishka is a diminutive of the Russian name Mikhail, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Michael, meaning 'who is like God?'. In Russian, 'Mishka' is also the common word for 'little bear' (from 'medved'), and as a given name it conveys a sense of endearment. It has been used as a nickname for Mikhail and as a standalone name in Russia and other Slavic countries, occasionally adopted in English-speaking countries for its affectionate sound.
Where Mishka is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mishka” around the world
Where Mishka 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: Misha, Mish
Sibling names for Mishka
Names that share Mishka's style, for a brother or sister.
