UK girl's name
Aleesha
Of Arabic origin, meaning "most exalted, loftiest, supreme".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Aleesha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Aleesha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 207 births.
This profile covers 1,093 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 4% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 1,150 living people in the UK are called Aleesha. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Aleesha ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 207 girls were registered as Aleesha.
- • Aleesha ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #392 in 2009.
- • About 1,150 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aleesha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3015
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
2005
207 births
Estimated living
1,150
2026
Meaning
What does Aleesha mean?
The name Aleesha is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with its roots traced back to the name Aliyah, meaning "exalted" or "superior." It is a feminine name that gained popularity in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Muslim communities of South Asia.
In the early Islamic era, the name Aleesha emerged as a variation of Aliyah, influenced by the regional linguistic and cultural nuances. It was often associated with individuals of high social standing or those who possessed noble qualities. The name's popularity spread beyond the Indian subcontinent, finding its way into various cultures and communities around the world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Aleesha can be found in the classical Arabic literature, where it was used to refer to esteemed individuals. However, it is important to note that the name's widespread usage and recognition gained momentum in more recent times, particularly in the 20th century.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Aleesha. One such individual was Aleesha Naqvi (1914-2003), a celebrated Pakistani writer and poet known for her contribution to Urdu literature. Her works explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human experience, earning her widespread acclaim.
Another prominent figure was Aleesha Khan (1935-2008), an Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was renowned for her expertise in the Kathak dance form and played a significant role in preserving and promoting this traditional Indian art form on a global stage.
In the realm of sports, Aleesha Gaye (born 1984) is a notable name. She is a former Australian basketball player who represented her country in several international competitions, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Aleesha Sahib (1760-1818) was an influential Muslim scholar and Sufi mystic from the Indian subcontinent. Her teachings and writings on spirituality and Islamic philosophy had a profound impact on the religious and intellectual landscape of her time.
Lastly, Aleesha Ismail (born 1990) is a contemporary Singaporean actress and model who has gained recognition for her roles in various television shows and films, showcasing her talent and versatility in the entertainment industry.
These individuals, spanning different eras and fields, have contributed to the rich tapestry of history and culture, leaving an indelible mark on their respective domains while carrying the name Aleesha.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Aleesha over time
The chart below shows babies named Aleesha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Aleesha, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 207 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Aleesha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aleesha was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3747 | 33 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1532 | 254 | 10 |
| 2000s | #624 | 712 | 10 |
| 1990s | #910 | 94 | 4 |
Geography
Where Aleesha is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Aleesha. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Aleesha ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #392 in 2009.
Across the UK
Aleesha in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#392 in 2009
7 years of NRS records, 51 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#440 in 2013
3 years of NISRA records, 13 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Aleesha
-
Aleesha Coulter
basketball player
New Zealand basketball player (born 1993)
1993-
Related
Names similar to Aleesha
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Aleesha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Aleesha in the UK right now?
In 2024, Aleesha was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Aleesha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 207 babies registered as Aleesha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Aleesha?
Of Arabic origin, meaning "most exalted, loftiest, supreme".
How many people are called Aleesha in the UK?
A total of 1,093 babies have been registered as Aleesha across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 51 more in Scotland and 13 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Aleesha most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Aleesha ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #392 in 2009. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.