Maisha Girl

Popularity: #935 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MY-sha //ˈmaɪʃə//

Origin: Swahili; Arabic

Meaning: Swahili: life; Arabic: a form of the name Maisha meaning 'living'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Maisha has its roots in the Swahili language, where it means "life." Swahili, a Bantu language, developed as a lingua franca along the East African coast, influenced by Arabic due to trade and interaction with Arab merchants. The term itself can be traced back to the Arabic word "hayat," which also signifies life, illustrating the linguistic and cultural exchanges that shaped the region.

As Swahili became more prominent through trade and later colonial interactions, names like Maisha began to be recognized beyond their local contexts, entering broader cultural narratives. Historically, the name Maisha has been associated with various cultural expressions in East Africa, particularly in literature and music, where themes of life and vitality are prevalent.

The 20th century saw a resurgence of interest in African languages and cultures, leading to a greater appreciation for names like Maisha that encapsulate significant meanings. The name has also been featured in various works of African literature, contributing to its cultural resonance and significance.

In addition to its literal meaning, Maisha symbolizes the vibrancy and resilience of life, often celebrated in African traditions and storytelling. This connection to life and vitality has made the name a meaningful choice among families, reflecting a deep appreciation for heritage and identity.

While diminutive forms may exist, such as Mai, the full name Maisha carries a weight of cultural significance that resonates with many, embodying the essence of existence and the celebration of life.

Famous people named Maisha

In this section, you will find notable people named Maisha. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Maisha who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Maisha who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Maisha Walker is a business consultant best known for her work in marketing and entrepreneurship.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Maisha, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AminaZuriLaylaNiaImaniKia

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Maisha. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MayaAishaSashaTashaMiraNishaRishaAlisha

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Maisha was first seen in the United States in 1968.

Maisha has ranked as high as #1877 nationally, which occurred in 1977, and has been most popular in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Maryland.

In the past 5 years the name Maisha has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Maisha is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Maisha was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Maisha.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 13 13
2024 24 24
2023 23 23
2022 17 17
2021 22 22
2020 23 23
2019 21 21
2018 19 19
2017 16 16
2016 14 14
2015 16 16
2014 11 11
2013 10 10
2012 12 12
2011 18 18
2010 20 20
2009 18 18
2008 19 19
2007 22 22
2006 30 30
2005 24 24
2004 32 32
2003 20 20
2002 28 28
2001 19 19
2000 18 18
1999 20 20
1998 26 26
1997 28 28
1996 44 44
1995 35 35
1994 28 28
1993 28 28
1992 29 29
1991 17 17
1990 28 28
1989 35 35
1988 26 26
1987 32 32
1986 20 20
1985 33 33
1984 24 24
1983 31 31
1982 49 49
1981 55 55
1980 60 60
1979 65 65
1978 75 75
1977 114 114
1976 81 81
1975 78 78
1974 100 100
1973 99 99
1972 64 64
1971 34 34
1970 28 28
1969 15 15
1968 8 8

Top States for Maisha (2021)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 7
100%