Misha Unisex

Popularity: #899 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MEE-sha /ˈmiːʃə/

Origin: Russian; Hebrew

Meaning: Russian: 'who is like God?'; Hebrew: 'gift from God'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Misha has its roots in Slavic languages, deriving from the name Mikhail, which is the Slavic form of the Hebrew name Michael. The Hebrew name Michael translates to "who is like God?" and has been a prominent name in various cultures due to its biblical significance.

The name Mikhail was adopted into Old Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the Slavic Orthodox churches, which helped to disseminate the name across Eastern Europe. Over time, Mikhail evolved into various diminutive forms, including Misha, which became a common affectionate nickname in Russian and other Slavic languages.

Historically, the name Mikhail has been borne by several notable figures, including the Archangel Michael, a significant figure in Judeo-Christian traditions, who is often depicted as a protector and leader of the heavenly armies. The name gained further prominence through various saints, including Saint Michael the Archangel, whose feast day is celebrated in multiple Christian denominations.

In the 10th century, the name began to appear in the context of Slavic rulers, with figures like Prince Mikhail of Chernigov, who was canonized as a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. Culturally, Misha has resonated in literature and the arts, often symbolizing strength and protection, reflecting its biblical origins.

The name has been embraced in various forms of media, including literature and film, where characters named Misha are frequently portrayed with qualities of bravery and loyalty. This cultural significance has contributed to the name's endurance through the centuries, allowing it to maintain a presence in various Slavic and non-Slavic cultures alike.

The diminutive Misha, while often used informally, carries with it the weight of its historical and cultural lineage, embodying a sense of familiarity and affection.

Famous people named Misha

In this section, you will find notable people named Misha. 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 Misha who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Misha 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.

Misha Collins is an actor best known for Supernatural, 24, and The Adventurers.

Fictional characters named Misha

The following list of fictional characters named Misha 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.

Misha is a fictional character from the anime and manga series K Project. They are a member of the Red Clan and play a significant role in the conflicts between the clans in the story.

Misha is a fictional character from the video game series Danganronpa. She is a key figure in the narrative, known for her unique personality and contributions to the overarching mystery.

Sibling suggestions

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

MilaNinaLilaTaliaSashaZara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Misha. 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.

MiraMinaMayaMishael

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Misha was first seen in the United States in 1954.

Misha has ranked as high as #2053 nationally, which occurred in 1991, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Misha has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Misha 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 Misha 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 Misha.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 60 11 49
2024 102 19 83
2023 104 22 82
2022 131 26 105
2021 123 38 85
2020 117 27 90
2019 125 24 101
2018 123 25 98
2017 137 20 117
2016 85 14 71
2015 99 22 77
2014 81 9 72
2013 95 11 84
2012 112 14 98
2011 83 6 77
2010 85 12 73
2009 120 10 110
2008 95 7 88
2007 104 8 96
2006 87 6 81
2005 98 15 83
2004 75 7 68
2003 36 6 30
2002 51 11 40
2001 41 11 30
2000 35 5 30
1999 36 9 27
1998 33 0 33
1997 47 0 47
1996 69 13 56
1995 75 13 62
1994 67 6 61
1993 105 23 82
1992 111 7 104
1991 142 7 135
1990 137 11 126
1989 122 9 113
1988 66 6 60
1987 82 7 75
1986 73 6 67
1985 61 9 52
1984 69 11 58
1983 66 6 60
1982 81 11 70
1981 92 11 81
1980 112 9 103
1979 100 6 94
1978 53 0 53
1977 63 5 58
1976 67 0 67
1975 66 6 60
1974 64 5 59
1973 49 0 49
1972 91 8 83
1971 52 0 52
1970 48 8 40
1969 32 0 32
1968 29 5 24
1967 11 0 11
1966 20 0 20
1965 14 0 14
1964 15 0 15
1963 7 0 7
1962 5 0 5
1960 10 0 10
1959 6 0 6
1954 6 0 6

Top States for Misha (2024)

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
CA 15
29%
NJ 9
18%
TX 9
18%
MA 8
16%
IL 5
10%
VA 5
10%