Niesha
A feminine name derived from Denise, meaning "follower of Dionysus".
Name Census estimates that about 2,073 living Americans carry the first name Niesha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Niesha today is around 37 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Niesha births was 1991 (165 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Niesha. 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
2.1K
~ 1 in 165,342 Americans
Peak year
1991
165 babies that year
Average age
37
years old
2018 SSA rank
#15,149
Tracked since 1969
Popularity
Niesha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Niesha from the 1960s through to the 2010s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 884 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1980s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Niesha 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 Niesha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nieshas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 20 states and territories. New York, California, Illinois recorded the most babies named Niesha, while Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Alabama recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 48 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Niesha
The name Niesha is believed to have its origins in the African continent, specifically in the Yoruba language spoken in parts of West Africa. It is thought to be derived from the Yoruba word "Nisha," which means "purpose" or "destiny." The name carries a profound meaning, suggesting that the bearer has a unique purpose or destiny in life.
The earliest recorded use of the name Niesha can be traced back to the late 20th century, possibly emerging as a variant of the more common name Nisha. While its exact origins remain uncertain, the name's popularity grew among African American communities, likely inspired by the cultural significance of African names and the desire to connect with their heritage.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Niesha is from the 1970s, when it was given to a character in the novel "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison, published in 1970. This literary reference may have contributed to the name's increased visibility and usage within the African American community.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Niesha. One of the most prominent is Niesha Renee Dolphin (born in 1977), an American singer and songwriter who found success in the early 2000s with her hit singles "Call His Heart" and "Niesha." Another notable Niesha is Niesha Lofing (born in 1977), a Canadian basketball player who represented Canada in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
In the realm of politics, Niesha Jenefer Smalls (born in 1962) is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, serving from 2003 to 2013. Niesha Ford (born in 1975) is an American activist and community organizer known for her work in the Occupy Wall Street movement and advocating for social justice causes.
Lastly, Niesha Traylor (born in 1977) is an American actress best known for her role as Tanya Newsome in the television series "The Wire." She has also appeared in other popular shows such as "Law & Order" and "Oz."
These individuals, spanning various fields and professions, have contributed to the cultural significance and recognition of the name Niesha, showcasing its versatility and the diverse backgrounds of those who bear it.
People
Niesha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Niesha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Niesha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Niesha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2,073 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Niesha 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 165,342 US residents.
Is Niesha a common name?
We classify Niesha as "Rare". It ranks above 93.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 2,183 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Niesha most popular?
The single biggest year for Niesha was 1991, when 165 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Niesha is about 37 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Niesha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Niesha 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.