What does Maisha mean and where does it come from?
Maisha is a Swahili name that means 'life'. It is commonly used in East African countries, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, embedded in the region's rich cultural and linguistic heritage. The name is popular among both Muslims and Christians in the area, capturing themes of vitality and existence
Cultural significance
Maisha has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Swahili-speaking countries-speaking communities, where it reflects values of life.
Peak popularity
Reached #1127 in 1977 — currently #8161 in the US.
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Related Reading
Swahili-speaking countries-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Maisha?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Maisha?
Maisha works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Maisha Leah
One syllable · timeless choice
Maisha Quinn
One syllable · timeless choice
Maisha Blair
One syllable · on the rise
Maisha Ruth
One syllable · timeless choice
Maisha Wren
One syllable · vintage charm
Maisha Faith
One syllable · vintage charm
How popular is Maisha right now?
Falling — down 2774 spots — currently #8161 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2025 | #8161 | 13 | ▼ down 2774 · -46% births |
| 2024 | #5387 | 24 | ▲ up 102 · +4% births |
| 2023 | #5489 | 23 | ▲ up 1391 · +35% births |
| 2022 | #6880 | 17 | ▼ down 1199 · -23% births |
| 2021 | #5681 | 22 | stable · +5% births |
| 2020 | #5681 | 21 | ▲ up 1657 · +31% births |
| 2015 | #7338 | 16 | ▼ down 632 · -16% births |
| 2010 | #6706 | 19 | ▼ down 1377 · -21% births |
| 2005 | #5329 | 24 | ▲ up 714 · +33% births |
| 2000 | #6043 | 18 | ▼ down 2781 · -49% births |
| 1995 | #3262 | 35 | ▲ up 517 · +25% births |
| 1990 | #3779 | 28 | ▼ down 933 · -15% births |
| 1985 | #2846 | 33 | ▼ down 1022 · -45% births |
| 1980 | #1824 | 60 | ▼ down 450 · -23% births |
| 1975 | #1374 | 78 | — |
The story of Maisha
Maisha is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1968. With 1,815 total births recorded, Maisha remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #2644 in 1970, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5489 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Maisha in 1977:
Maisha by decade
Maisha peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1960s | 23 | |
| 1970s ★ | 737 | |
| 1980s | 365 | |
| 1990s | 283 | |
| 2000s | 230 | |
| 2010s | 156 | |
| 2020s | 58 | |
💎With 1,815 total births, Maisha is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Maisha?
What names sound and feel like Maisha?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Maisha also consider these
Common questions about the name Maisha
What does the name Maisha mean?
Maisha means "Life" — a name rooted in Swahili-speaking countries tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Maisha?
Maisha is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Maisha have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Maisha?
Maisha originates from Swahili-speaking countries tradition. Swahili-speaking countries names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Maisha?
Maisha is a two-syllable name pronounced MEYE-SHAH. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Maisha trending right now?
Maisha is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.