Jalesha
A unique feminine name of uncertain origin and meaning, potentially blending elements of various cultures.
Name Census estimates that about 132 living Americans carry the first name Jalesha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Jalesha today is around 32 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Jalesha births was 1992 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Jalesha. 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
132
~ 1 in 2,596,624 Americans
Peak year
1992
17 babies that year
Average age
32
years old
2005 SSA rank
#13,579
Tracked since 1988
Popularity
Jalesha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Jalesha from the 1980s through to the 2000s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 94 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
Jalesha 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 Jalesha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Jalesha
The name Jalesha is believed to have originated from the Caribbean region, specifically Jamaica. It is a modern name that emerged in the late 20th century, likely a combination of the names Jalesia and Alesha.
While the exact origins of the name are unclear, it is thought to be a variation of the name Jalesia, which is derived from the Arabic name Jalilah, meaning "noble" or "majestic." The addition of the "sh" sound may have been influenced by the popular name Alesha, which is a diminutive form of the name Alexandra.
Despite its relatively recent emergence, the name Jalesha has gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly among communities with Caribbean or African-American heritage. It is often associated with a sense of uniqueness and individuality, reflecting the cultural diversity and creativity of its origins.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jalesha can be traced back to Jalesha Moses, a Jamaican sprinter born in 1980. She competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, representing Jamaica in the 100m and 200m events.
Another notable figure with the name Jalesha is Jalesha Smith, an American professional basketball player born in 1991. She played for the University of South Carolina and was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA in 2015.
In the literary world, Jalesha Johnson is an American author and poet known for her works exploring themes of identity, race, and social justice. She was born in 1988 and has published several collections of poetry and essays.
Jalesha Dunlap, born in 1985, is an American visual artist and photographer whose works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums across the United States.
Lastly, Jalesha Weaver, born in 1992, is a Canadian actress and model who has appeared in several television shows and films, including the popular series "Riverdale."
While the name Jalesha may be relatively new, it has already made its mark in various fields, from sports and literature to art and entertainment. Its unique sound and cultural associations have contributed to its growing popularity, making it a name that celebrates individuality and diversity.
People
Jalesha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Jalesha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with J
Other first names starting with J with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Jalesha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Jalesha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 132 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Jalesha 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 2,596,624 US residents.
Is Jalesha a common name?
We classify Jalesha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 68.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 137 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Jalesha most popular?
The single biggest year for Jalesha was 1992, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Jalesha is about 32 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Jalesha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Jalesha 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.