Masha Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAH-sha /ˈmɑːʃə/
Origin: Russian; Slavic
Meaning: Russian: 'of Mary'; Slavic: 'bitter'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Masha is of Slavic origin, derived from the name Maria, which itself has roots in Hebrew. The Hebrew name Miriam is believed to mean "sea of bitterness," "rebelliousness," or "wished for child." This name was adopted into Greek as Maria and subsequently into Latin as Maria, before making its way into various languages, including Russian.
In Russian, Masha serves as a diminutive form of Maria, reflecting a common linguistic practice of creating affectionate or familiar versions of names in Slavic cultures. Historically, the name Maria has been significant across various cultures and religions.
In Christianity, Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a central figure, and her veneration has led to the widespread use of her name in numerous forms across different languages and cultures. The name Maria appears in many historical texts, including the New Testament, which was translated into various languages, including the King James Bible in the early 17th century.
The name Masha, as a diminutive, gained popularity in Russia and other Slavic countries, particularly during the 19th century, when literature and folk tales began to feature characters with this name. Culturally, Masha has resonated within Russian folklore and literature, often associated with warmth and affection.
The name is frequently used in Russian fairy tales and stories, contributing to its enduring presence in the cultural landscape. One notable character is Masha from the popular Russian folk tale "Masha and the Bear," which has been adapted into various forms of media and continues to be a beloved story.
This cultural significance, along with its linguistic roots, has helped Masha maintain its relevance through the centuries.
Famous people named Masha
In this section, you will find notable people named Masha. 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 Masha who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Masha 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.
Masha Gessen is a journalist and author best known for The Future Is History, The Man Without a Face, and Surviving Autocracy.
Masha Alekhina is a musician and activist best known for being a member of the punk rock group Pussy Riot and for her activism in Russia.
Fictional characters named Masha
The following list of fictional characters named Masha is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Masha is a fictional character from the animated series Masha and the Bear. She is a mischievous little girl who often gets into adventures with her friend, a bear named Misha.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Masha, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Masha. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Masha was first seen in the United States in 1951.
Masha has ranked as high as #1360 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in New York, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Masha has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Masha 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 Masha was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Masha (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 9 |
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 Masha.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2022 | 33 |
| 2021 | 22 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2019 | 14 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 1999 | 9 |
| 1998 | 13 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1994 | 7 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1982 | 7 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1968 | 8 |
| 1951 | 6 |