Given name
Maisha
“giver of life”
Maisha is used as a given name. One African interpretation is “giver of life.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One African interpretation is “giver of life.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is African.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1968. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Maisha through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,918
- 0 boys · 1,918 girls
- Most popular year
- 1977
- 114 babies
- 2025
- 13
- #8,161 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +6%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 13 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 8,161 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 6.5% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 114 in 1977. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,804 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Maisha’s family of names
Maisha has a related form in Maesha. Maisha has a related form in Maeshah. Maisha has a related form in Maishah.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Maisha, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Mandisa
“a sweet woman”
>99% girls
Akua
“born on a Wednesday”
>99% girls
Lakeisha
“a lively and healthy woman” · “the favorite”
>99% girls
Aba
“born on a Thursday”
16% boys · 84% girls
Tamasha
“pageant winner”
>99% girls
Fanta
“born on a beautiful day”
>99% girls
Makeda
“a queenly woman; greatness”
>99% girls
Bisa
“a daughter who is greatly loved”
>99% girls