Declining since 1992.
Popularity of Pasha since 1964
Babies named Pasha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 31 | 6 |
| 1970s | 141 | 23 |
| 1980s | 107 | 57 |
| 1990s | 112 | 65 |
| 2000s | 82 | 89 |
| 2010s | 25 | 105 |
| 2020s | 0 | 63 |
Meaning & origin
Pasha, recorded in U.S. data since 1964, carries the gravitas of a historic Ottoman title. Its peak usage was in 1974, but it has never entered broad popularity, remaining a rare and distinctive choice. The trajectory shows a decline since 1992, mirroring the pattern of many imported exotica. There are no top states associated with it, as births are too few to cluster regionally. The name also functions as a Russian diminutive of Pavel, giving it a quiet European layer alongside its Ottoman weight. It occupies a small, unusual space in American naming, where its brevity and strong consonant sound could appeal to parents seeking something short and international.
Pasha likely originates from the Turkish title 'paşa', used historically for high-ranking Ottoman officials. The title itself may be derived from Persian 'padishah' (emperor). As a given name, Pasha is used in Turkey and across the Caucasus and Central Asia, also adopted as a surname. In Western contexts, it is sometimes used as a pet form of the Russian name Pavel (Paul).
Sibling names for Pasha
Names that share Pasha's style, for a brother or sister.
