Tikisha
A feminine name of uncertain origin but possibly deriving from Native American languages.
Name Census estimates that about 256 living Americans carry the first name Tikisha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Tikisha today is around 47 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tikisha births was 1977 (37 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tikisha. 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
256
~ 1 in 1,338,884 Americans
Peak year
1977
37 babies that year
Average age
47
years old
1990 SSA rank
#15,102
Tracked since 1971
Popularity
Tikisha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tikisha from the 1970s through to the 1990s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 180 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tikisha 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 Tikisha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Tikishas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Louisiana, California, Illinois recorded the most babies named Tikisha, while New York, Illinois, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 5 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Tikisha
The name Tikisha is believed to have originated in the Bamana language, spoken by the Bambara people of Mali in West Africa. It is thought to be derived from the word "ti-ki-sa," which means "to be born" or "to come into existence." This suggests that the name carries a symbolic meaning of new beginnings and the arrival of new life.
In the 14th century, during the Empire of Mali, the name Tikisha appeared in historical records as the name of a prominent female figure. She was a respected elder and advisor to the Mansa (emperor) at the time. Her wisdom and guidance were highly valued, and her name became associated with the virtues of intelligence and leadership.
The earliest recorded use of the name Tikisha can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in a collection of oral histories and folklore from the Bambara people. These stories often featured characters with the name Tikisha, portraying them as strong, resilient, and deeply rooted in their cultural traditions.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Tikisha:
1. Tikisha Frye (born c. 1970) was an American activist and community organizer known for her work in promoting social justice and equal rights. She played a pivotal role in the Black Lives Matter movement in the early 2010s.
2. Tikisha Dawson (1963-2018) was a renowned Malian painter and sculptor. Her works celebrated the rich cultural heritage of her homeland and explored themes of identity, spirituality, and the human experience.
3. Tikisha Mwangi (born 1985) is a Kenyan entrepreneur and philanthropist. She founded a successful technology company and has been recognized for her efforts in empowering women and promoting education in underserved communities.
4. Tikisha Bakari (born 1972) is a celebrated Tanzanian author and poet. Her works explore the complexities of family dynamics, love, and the pursuit of personal freedom. Her debut novel, "The Whispers of the Baobab," received critical acclaim and several literary awards.
5. Tikisha Diallo (1940-2010) was a Guinean diplomat and advocate for women's rights. She served as her country's ambassador to several nations and played a crucial role in advancing gender equality and promoting peace initiatives throughout her career.
The name Tikisha has a rich history rooted in the cultural traditions of West Africa, symbolizing the arrival of new life, wisdom, and strength. Its legacy continues to be carried forward by individuals who embody these values and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
People
Tikisha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tikisha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tikisha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tikisha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 256 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tikisha 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 1,338,884 US residents.
Is Tikisha a common name?
We classify Tikisha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 77.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 278 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tikisha most popular?
The single biggest year for Tikisha was 1977, when 37 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tikisha is about 47 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Tikisha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tikisha 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.