Nisha Girl

Popularity: #935 · Trend: → Stable

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NEE-sha //ˈniːʃə//

Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi

Meaning: Sanskrit: Night; Hindi: Goddess Durga

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Nisha has its roots in the Sanskrit language, where it means "night." This etymology reflects a deep connection to nature and the cosmos, as night is often associated with mystery, calmness, and introspection in various cultures. The name has been adopted in several South Asian languages, including Hindi and Bengali, where it retains its original meaning.

The transition of the name into English and other languages has occurred primarily through cultural exchange and the diaspora of South Asian communities, particularly in the 20th century. Historically, the name Nisha has been used in various literary and cultural contexts within South Asia.

It appears in classical texts and poetry, where the night is often personified or celebrated for its beauty and tranquility. The name has also been associated with various figures in Indian mythology and folklore, where night is depicted as a time of reflection and rejuvenation.

Although specific historical milestones are less documented compared to names with biblical or royal significance, the cultural resonance of Nisha has been maintained through its usage in literature and the arts. In terms of cultural significance, Nisha embodies qualities that are often revered in South Asian traditions, such as serenity and the cyclical nature of life.

The name is sometimes linked to auspiciousness and is chosen for its poetic connotations. Additionally, diminutive forms or related names, such as Nishi, may also be used, although Nisha remains the more commonly recognized form.

Overall, the name's enduring presence in South Asian culture highlights its symbolic associations with the night and its broader implications in the human experience.

Famous people named Nisha

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

We also feature individuals named Nisha 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.

Nisha Ganatra is a director and writer best known for Late Night, Chutney Popcorn, and The High Note.

Nisha Pahuja is a filmmaker best known for The World Before Her, and The New Face of the Middle East.

Sibling suggestions

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

NinaNehaNikitaNandiniNirvanaNaina

Similar names

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

AnishaTanishaAyeshaRishaSashaTishaMishaAsha

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Nisha was first seen in the United States in 1961.

Nisha has ranked as high as #2027 nationally, which occurred in 1984, and has been most popular in California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Texas.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Nisha 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 Nisha 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 Nisha.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 13 13
2024 20 20
2023 11 11
2022 22 22
2021 12 12
2020 15 15
2019 17 17
2018 14 14
2017 13 13
2016 17 17
2015 13 13
2014 26 26
2013 26 26
2012 27 27
2011 28 28
2010 35 35
2009 34 34
2008 42 42
2007 58 58
2006 40 40
2005 43 43
2004 47 47
2003 49 49
2002 68 68
2001 72 72
2000 67 67
1999 65 65
1998 80 80
1997 77 77
1996 79 79
1995 82 82
1994 80 80
1993 80 80
1992 97 97
1991 74 74
1990 89 89
1989 87 87
1988 88 88
1987 73 73
1986 83 83
1985 89 89
1984 104 104
1983 96 96
1982 82 82
1981 76 76
1980 68 68
1979 65 65
1978 60 60
1977 69 69
1976 59 59
1975 42 42
1974 46 46
1973 40 40
1972 27 27
1971 25 25
1970 24 24
1969 18 18
1968 13 13
1967 6 6
1966 11 11
1963 6 6
1961 5 5

Top States for Nisha (2022)

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 6
55%
TX 5
45%