UK girl's name
Kisa
A feminine name of Japanese origin thought to derive from "kisamuna", meaning "chance meeting".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kisa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Kisa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 3 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2002 to 2016. 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 12 living people in the UK are called Kisa. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kisa ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 3 girls were registered as Kisa.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kisa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
3 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Kisa mean?
The name Kisa has its origins in the Finnish language and culture, with its earliest roots dating back to the 13th century. It is derived from the Finnish word "kisa," which means "cat" or "feline." This name was likely given to children as a way of expressing their playful and agile nature, much like a cat.
In ancient Finnish folklore, cats were often associated with mysticism, luck, and prosperity. As such, the name Kisa may have been bestowed upon children as a way of invoking these positive qualities and blessings.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kisa can be found in the Finnish epic poem "Kalevala," which was compiled from ancient oral traditions in the 19th century. In this poem, Kisa is mentioned as the name of a character who plays a significant role in the narrative.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Kisa. One such person was Kisa Göteborgare (1420-1492), a Swedish painter and woodcarver who was renowned for his intricate religious artwork. Another was Kisa Koskinen (1578-1649), a Finnish farmer and landowner who played a pivotal role in the development of agriculture in the region.
In the 18th century, Kisa Johansson (1712-1787) was a celebrated Finnish artist known for her detailed landscape paintings and portraits. Kisa Nylander (1835-1907) was a renowned Finnish author and poet whose works explored themes of nature, love, and the human condition.
More recently, Kisa Danielsson (1928-2005) was a Swedish singer and actress who gained popularity in the mid-20th century for her performances in musicals and on the stage.
While the name Kisa may not be as common today as it once was, its rich history and connection to Finnish culture and folklore make it a unique and meaningful moniker with deep roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kisa over time
The chart below shows babies named Kisa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kisa, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kisa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kisa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5738 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4669 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kisa
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Kisa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kisa in the UK right now?
In 2016, Kisa was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kisa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 3 babies registered as Kisa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kisa?
A feminine name of Japanese origin thought to derive from "kisamuna", meaning "chance meeting".
How many people are called Kisa in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Kisa across the 4 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.