Usha first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Usha has been for the last 45 years (from 1975 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Usha

A feminine given name of Sanskrit origin meaning "dawn" or "morning rays".

Popularity of Usha by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Usha is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Usha.

Year Male Count Female Count
2019 0 5
2013 0 5
2002 0 5
1995 0 5
1993 0 6
1989 0 5
1986 0 6
1984 0 8
1983 0 6
1979 0 8
1978 0 6
1977 0 9
1976 0 5
1975 0 7

The history of the first name Usha

Usha is a Sanskrit name that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Ushas," which means dawn or the morning rays of the sun. The name has been in use for centuries and is associated with Hindu mythology and ancient Vedic texts.

In Hindu mythology, Usha is the name of the goddess of dawn. She is depicted as a beautiful young woman who rides a chariot drawn by horses or bulls. The Rig Veda, one of the oldest and most sacred Hindu scriptures, contains numerous hymns dedicated to Usha, praising her beauty and the renewal of life that comes with each new day.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Usha can be found in the Mahabharata, a monumental Sanskrit epic from ancient India. In the epic, Usha is the name of a princess who falls in love with Aniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. Their love story is a celebrated tale of devotion and perseverance.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Usha. One of the most famous is Usha Mehta (1920-2000), an Indian freedom fighter and politician who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. She was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and worked tirelessly for women's rights and social reform.

Another notable Usha is Usha Uthup (born 1947), an Indian pop singer and musician. She is known for her versatile voice and energetic stage performances, and has won numerous awards throughout her career, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.

In the field of literature, Usha Narayanan (born 1933) is a renowned Indian author and journalist. She has written numerous books, including novels, short stories, and plays, and has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award, India's highest literary honor.

Usha Parmar (1933-2020) was an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the Kathak dance form. She received the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to the arts.

Usha Rajeswari (born 1942) is an Indian classical dancer and choreographer who has been instrumental in popularizing the Bharatanatyam dance form. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Usha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Usha, please contact us.

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"Usha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 1, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/usha-meaning-and-history/.

"Usha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/usha-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 1 May, 2025

Usha first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/usha-meaning-and-history/.

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