Holding steady.
Popularity of Nesha since 1965
Babies named Nesha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 24 |
| 1970s | 176 |
| 1980s | 173 |
| 1990s | 80 |
| 2000s | 25 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Nesha is a modern American name that first appeared on the U.S. naming scene in 1965, reflecting a trend toward invented, melodious names in the latter half of the 20th century. The name reached its peak popularity in 1976, during a period when similar names like Keisha and Tisha were also rising. Though it has never been common enough to rank in the national top 1000, Nesha has maintained a steady, if minimal, presence in the decades since, with the latest recorded use in 2025. Its spelling is straightforward, and it does not have strong ties to any particular state or region, as it appears sporadically across the country. The trajectory of the name has been stable, with no dramatic spikes or declines since its peak.
Nesha appears to be a modern coinage, likely formed from the fashionable prefix Ne- (as in Neva or Neta) and the suffix -esha, popular in 1970s American naming. It may also be a respelling of Nisha, a name of Indian origin meaning “night,” but there is no direct etymological link. The name saw its peak usage in 1976 and has remained in sporadic use since.
Sibling names for Nesha
Names that share Nesha's style, for a brother or sister.
