Mugisha
A masculine name of Kinyarwanda origin meaning "lucky" or "blessed".
Name Census estimates that about 51 living Americans carry the first name Mugisha. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Mugisha today is around 6 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mugisha births was 2023 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mugisha. 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.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Mugisha. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
51
~ 1 in 6,720,673 Americans
Peak year
2023
13 babies that year
Average age
6
years old
2024 SSA rank
#8,103
Tracked since 2010
Popularity
Mugisha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mugisha from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2020s, with 36 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mugisha 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 Mugisha 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 Mugisha
The name Mugisha finds its origins in the Bantu language family, predominantly spoken in parts of Central, East, and Southern Africa. It is derived from the root word "gisha," which means "to bless" or "to consecrate." The name is most commonly associated with the Kinyarwanda language spoken in Rwanda and parts of neighboring countries like Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Mugisha can be traced back to the 15th century, when it was used by members of the Tutsi ethnic group in the Kingdom of Rwanda. During this time, the name carried significant cultural and spiritual connotations, often given to children born under auspicious circumstances or those believed to be blessed.
In the 17th century, the name gained prominence among the Banyankole people of present-day Uganda, where it was associated with the concept of divine favor and protection. The Banyankole were known for their rich oral traditions, and the name Mugisha was frequently featured in folk tales and proverbs, emphasizing its connection to blessings and good fortune.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mugisha. One of the earliest recorded was Mugisha Mwami (c. 1550-1610), a highly respected leader and spiritual advisor in the Kingdom of Rwanda during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His wisdom and guidance were sought after by many, and he played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and harmony within the kingdom.
Another prominent figure was Mugisha Gahima (1820-1895), a renowned healer and herbalist among the Banyankole people of Uganda. He was renowned for his vast knowledge of traditional medicinal practices and his ability to cure various ailments, earning him the respect and admiration of his community.
In the 20th century, Mugisha Shyaka (1925-2003) was a prominent Rwandan poet and writer whose works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of his people. His poetic compositions, often centered around themes of blessings and gratitude, helped preserve and promote the Kinyarwanda language and traditions.
More recently, Mugisha Karama (1960-present) has made significant contributions to the fields of education and social development in Rwanda. As the founder of several non-profit organizations, he has worked tirelessly to improve access to education and empower underprivileged communities, embodying the spirit of blessings and positive change associated with his name.
Lastly, Mugisha Byandusya (1975-present) is a renowned Ugandan musician and composer whose music has gained widespread popularity across East Africa. His songs, often infused with traditional rhythms and melodies, carry messages of hope, unity, and blessings, resonating with audiences throughout the region.
People
Mugisha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mugisha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mugisha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mugisha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 51 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mugisha 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 6,720,673 US residents.
Is Mugisha a common name?
We classify Mugisha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 54.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 51 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mugisha most popular?
The single biggest year for Mugisha was 2023, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mugisha is about 6 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Mugisha in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Mugisha a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mugisha in the SSA data are male. 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.
Is Mugisha still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Mugisha in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Mugisha can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How common is the name Mugisha?
HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site, answers that with the living-bearer count in one glance.