The name Alesha has its origins in the Russian language and culture, tracing back to the late 19th century. It is a diminutive form of the name Aleksandra, which is the Russian variant of the Greek name Alexandra, meaning "defender of mankind." The name Alesha gained popularity in Russia during this time and was often used as a pet form of Aleksandra.

Historically, the name Alesha has been associated with various notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded instances was Alesha Popovich, a legendary Russian bogatyr (knight-errant) who appeared in Russian bylinas (epic folk tales) from the 16th century. Another notable figure was Alesha Dimidov, a Russian writer and journalist who lived in the early 20th century and is known for his works depicting the lives of ordinary Russians.

In the realm of literature, the name Alesha is prominently featured in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel "The Brothers Karamazov," published in 1880. The character Aleksey Fyodorovich Karamazov, known as Alesha, is one of the central figures in the novel and is portrayed as a kind-hearted, spiritual young man.

Moving into the 20th century, one notable individual bearing the name Alesha was Alesha Popovich, a Soviet military commander during World War II. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for his bravery and leadership in the Battle of Kursk in 1943.

Another prominent Alesha was Alesha Dimitrievich Prokopenko, a Soviet athlete who competed in gymnastics during the 1960s and 1970s. He won multiple Olympic medals, including a gold medal in the team event at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

It is worth noting that while the name Alesha is primarily associated with Russian culture, it has also been adopted in other Slavic countries, such as Ukraine and Belarus, where it may have slightly different variations in spelling or pronunciation.