Darnisha
A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially derived from "Darna", a variant of "Darina".
Name Census estimates that about 835 living Americans carry the first name Darnisha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Darnisha today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Darnisha births was 1993 (56 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Darnisha. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
835
~ 1 in 410,484 Americans
Peak year
1993
56 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2008 SSA rank
#15,886
Tracked since 1964
Popularity
Darnisha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Darnisha from the 1960s through to the 2000s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 403 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Darnisha by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Darnisha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Darnishas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. Illinois, California, Louisiana recorded the most babies named Darnisha, while Ohio, Texas, Alabama recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 31 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Darnisha
The name Darnisha is believed to have originated from a combination of the French word "darne," meaning a slice or portion, and the English word "nisha," which is a variant of the name Nisha derived from the Sanskrit word "nishā," meaning night. This unique blend suggests that the name Darnisha may have roots in both European and South Asian cultures.
The earliest recorded use of the name Darnisha dates back to the late 20th century, although its exact origins remain uncertain. It is primarily used as a feminine given name and has gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries.
One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Darnisha was Darnisha Taylor, an American basketball player born in 1979. She played for several teams in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) during her professional career, which spanned from 2001 to 2008.
Another prominent figure with the name Darnisha was Darnisha Harrison, an American actress and singer born in 1985. She is best known for her roles in television series such as "The Game" and "Greenleaf," as well as her appearances in various films and music videos.
In the literary realm, Darnisha is the name of a character in the novel "The Coldest Winter Ever" by Sister Souljah, published in 1999. The book explores the struggles and experiences of an urban family in Brooklyn, New York, and the character Darnisha played a significant role in the narrative.
Darnisha Garbade, born in 1982, is an American entrepreneur and motivational speaker. She has gained recognition for her work in empowering women and promoting self-confidence through her coaching programs and public speaking engagements.
Lastly, Darnisha Smith, born in 1978, is an American singer and songwriter. She has released several albums and has collaborated with various artists in the R&B and soul music genres, contributing to the genre's growth and popularity.
While the name Darnisha may be relatively modern in its usage, it has gained traction and cultural significance, particularly in certain communities and artistic circles. Its unique blend of linguistic influences and the diverse backgrounds of individuals bearing the name have contributed to its growing recognition and appeal.
People
Darnisha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Darnisha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with D
Other first names starting with D with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Darnisha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Darnisha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 835 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Darnisha going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 410,484 US residents.
Is Darnisha a common name?
We classify Darnisha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 877 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Darnisha most popular?
The single biggest year for Darnisha was 1993, when 56 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Darnisha is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Darnisha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Darnisha in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.