Declining since 1986, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Tanisha since 1967
Babies named Tanisha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 44 |
| 1970s | 5,628 |
| 1980s | 6,811 |
| 1990s | 4,771 |
| 2000s | 1,366 |
| 2010s | 593 |
| 2020s | 127 |
Meaning & origin
Tanisha entered U.S. naming records in 1967, a relatively modern introduction compared to many classic names. Its peak year was 1977, when it ranked highest in usage, reflecting the era's embrace of African-inspired names. Since 1986, the name has been on a downward trajectory; in 2025, it stood at rank 6,546 with about 1 in 94,545 girls named Tanisha. The name's Swahili origin, meaning "born on Monday," connects it to a broader West African naming tradition of day-born names, similar to names like Kofi (Friday) or Kwame (Saturday). Its top states of popularity have shifted over the decades, but it remains a distinctive choice with a clear cultural heritage.
Tanisha is derived from the Swahili word "jumatatu" meaning "Monday" or "born on Monday," a naming tradition in many West African cultures. The name gained popularity in the United States after being featured in the 1970s, often associated with African cultural pride. It shares a root with the masculine name Tano and the feminine name Tani.
Where Tanisha is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Tanisha” around the world
Where Tanisha 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: Tani, Neesha, Nish
Sibling names for Tanisha
Names that share Tanisha's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Malia, Imani, Kiana, Shanice, Aisha, Lanisha, Shanika, Danisha, Denisha, Donisha, Kalisha, Kanisha, Keshia, Kiesha, Lashae, Lashay, Latrisha, Nakisha, Quanisha, Ronisha, Shanelle, Shenita, Takisha, Tenisha, Tonisha, Tynesha, Aneisha, Carlisha, Charlisa, Delisha, Deshawna, Donnisha, Janisha, Johnisha, Kaneesha, Katisha, Keneisha, Laquasha, Larisha, Lashauna, Lashona, Lasonja, Lekisha, Marquia, Melisha, Nakeshia, Porcha, Ranisha, Shanese, Shaquila, Shawnice, Shontel, Tameisha, Tameshia, Tamieka, Telisha, Terica, Tyeshia, Akisha, Antonisha, Calisha, Canisha, Carmesha, Chaniqua, Charonda, Cornisha, Curtisha, Dalisha, Denicia, Dennisha, Deshana, Janeece, Janiqua, Jaquisha, Kameisha, Kaniesha, Kenita, Kennesha, Keundra, Keyshia, Lanique, Lasonya, Latyra, Lenisha, Litisha, Marlisha, Mikeisha, Nakiesha, Nyeshia, Quenisha, Quinisha, Rakeisha, Raynisha, Reneisha, Shakeia, Shakisha, Shalisa, Shalisha, Shandrika, Shanece, Shanyce, Sharnita, Shaunice, Shawntia, Shontelle, Takeria, Taletha, Tamikia, Tanaisha, Tarnisha, Tekisha, Terricka, Tymeka, Valisha, Vernisha, Dynisha, Katesha, Leshay, Shaterica, Arlisha, Brenisha, Bresha, Canesha, Danashia, Dawnisha, Dinisha, Eleshia, Jermeka, Joneisha, Juanisha, Kaleisha, Karlisha, Kenise, Keshonna, Kimyatta, Kinisha, Ladaysha, Larrisha, Lashanti, Lasheika, Lashia, Lashuna, Latacha, Latysha, Lynisha, Mariesha, Marnisha, Mikisha, Moneisha, Philisha, Porchea, Quanika, Quantisha, Shakeyla, Shalice, Shandell, Shantoria, Shaquisha, Sharnise, Shavette, Sheronica, Shinita, Talishia, Tamkia, Taquisha, Tarisha, Tarshia, Tasheika, Tekeshia, Telesha, Teniqua, Terisha, Terrisha, Tyniesha, Vanecia
Brothers: Malik, Jabari, Kwame, Darius, Tyrone, Lashawn, Lashaun, Shedrick, Antjuan, Dontre, Jermayne, Jorell, Laderrick, Ledarius, Trashawn, Demarlo, Demarrio, Lamorris, Leshaun, Rashod, Danzell, Demarkis, Deontra, Dontarious, Ladarrian, Latravis, Leshon
Names like Tanisha
Names whose popularity has moved with Tanisha's over the last 50 years.
