Holding steady.
Popularity of Nakeesha since 1973
Babies named Nakeesha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 78 |
| 1980s | 81 |
| 1990s | 29 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nakeesha first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1973, during a period when African American naming practices embraced distinctive, often newly created names with melodic endings like -eesha. The name reached its peak popularity in 1978, reflecting the broader trend of names such as Keisha and Tameka rising in the 1970s. Although it has never cracked the top 1,000 national rankings, its usage has remained stable through the decades since. While no single state saw concentrated use, Nakeesha is most strongly associated with the cultural creativity of African American naming traditions in the late 20th century.
Nakeesha is a modern coinage that emerged in the African American community during the 1970s, following the trend of names like Keisha and Lakisha. It is believed to be a respelling of Keisha, which itself is a shortened form of Keziah, a name from the Hebrew Bible meaning 'cassia tree' or 'cinnamon'. The prefix 'Na-' may have been added for phonetic flair, as seen in similarly constructed names from the era.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Keesha, Nikki, Keekee
Sibling names for Nakeesha
Names that share Nakeesha's style, for a brother or sister.
