NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Kenisha

An African name meaning "born at night" or "darkness".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kenisha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kenisha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3519, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 6 births.

This profile covers 74 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1998 to 2021. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 74 living people in the UK are called Kenisha. 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 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kenisha ranked #3519 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2006, when 6 girls were registered as Kenisha.
  • About 74 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kenisha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3519

2021

Births in 2021

6

Latest year

Peak year

2006

6 births

Estimated living

74

2026

Meaning

What does Kenisha mean?

The name Kenisha has its roots in the African continent, likely originating from the Swahili language. It is believed to be a combination of two words, "keni" meaning "to be" and "isha" meaning "happiness" or "joy." This suggests that the name Kenisha could be interpreted as "one who brings happiness" or "joyful presence."

In some regions of East Africa, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania, the name Kenisha has been used for centuries. It was often given to newborn girls as a symbol of the joy and happiness they brought to their families and communities. The name's connection to the Swahili language and culture reflects the rich linguistic diversity of the region.

While there are no definitive records of the name appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is possible that variations of the name may have existed in oral traditions and local dialects. The earliest documented instances of the name Kenisha can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries in East Africa.

One notable individual with the name Kenisha was Kenisha Arrington (1975-2008), an American singer and songwriter who was part of the R&B group Brownstone. Her music career spanned the 1990s and early 2000s, and she contributed to the group's successful albums and tours.

Another historical figure bearing the name Kenisha was Kenisha Vickers (1958-2022), an American actress and model. She appeared in various television shows and films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including roles in "The Cosby Show" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

In the world of sports, Kenisha Phillips (born 1985) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. She played in the WNBA for teams like the Indiana Fever and the Minnesota Lynx, and also had a successful career in international leagues.

Kenisha Vaughan (born 1984) is an Australian entrepreneur and businesswoman. She founded and currently leads a successful marketing and branding agency, working with clients across various industries.

Lastly, Kenisha Berry (born 1990) is a Jamaican track and field athlete who specialized in sprinting events. She represented Jamaica at multiple international competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.

While the name Kenisha has African origins, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained popularity in various parts of the world, reflecting the diverse and interconnected global society we live in today.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kenisha over time

The chart below shows babies named Kenisha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kenisha, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2021, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kenisha
02356199820092021

Decades

Kenisha by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kenisha 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 #3519 6 1
2010s #4773 21 5
2000s #3863 38 9
1990s #2956 9 2

Related

Names similar to Kenisha

FAQ

Kenisha: questions and answers

How popular is the name Kenisha in the UK right now?

In 2021, Kenisha was ranked #3519 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Kenisha most popular?

The peak year on record was 2006, with 6 babies registered as Kenisha in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kenisha?

An African name meaning "born at night" or "darkness".

How many people are called Kenisha in the UK?

A total of 74 babies have been registered as Kenisha across the 17 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

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.