NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Lisha

A feminine given name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "God's promise".

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.

Lisha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Lisha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 8 births.

This profile covers 86 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 1996 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 85 living people in the UK are called Lisha. 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

  • Lisha ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2001, when 8 girls were registered as Lisha.
  • About 85 living people in the UK are estimated to have Lisha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5581

2021

Births in 2021

3

Latest year

Peak year

2001

8 births

Estimated living

85

2026

Meaning

What does Lisha mean?

The name Lisha has its origins in the Sanskrit language, an ancient and classical language of South Asia. It is believed to have emerged between 1500 and 500 BCE during the Vedic period in ancient India. Lisha is derived from the Sanskrit word "lila," which means play, sport, or pastime.

In Hindu mythology, the word "lila" is often associated with the divine plays or manifestations of the gods, particularly the playful and mischievous nature of Lord Krishna. The name Lisha may have been inspired by this concept, symbolizing a playful and joyful spirit.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lisha can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures known as the Puranas. These texts, which date back to the 3rd or 4th century CE, contain narratives and stories related to Hindu deities and their incarnations.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lisha. One such figure was Lisha Arya, a renowned Indian classical dancer who lived from 1909 to 1976. She was known for her expertise in the Kathak dance form and her contributions to reviving and preserving this ancient art form.

Another prominent individual named Lisha was Lisha Chen, a Chinese-American writer, and journalist born in 1932. She was known for her work in promoting cultural understanding and bridging the gap between Eastern and Western cultures through her writing and advocacy.

In the realm of literature, one cannot overlook the influence of Lisha Killick, an Australian author born in 1957. She is renowned for her award-winning children's books and her ability to capture the imagination of young readers through her captivating stories.

The name Lisha also found its way into the world of music with Lisha Singh, an Indian classical vocalist born in 1960. She is celebrated for her mastery of the Hindustani classical music tradition and her soulful renditions of timeless compositions.

Lastly, Lisha Arora, born in 1985, is a notable Indian fashion designer and entrepreneur. She has gained recognition for her innovative and sustainable approach to fashion, blending traditional Indian techniques with contemporary designs.

While the name Lisha may have originated in ancient India, it has transcended geographical boundaries and cultural barriers, resonating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and walks of life throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Lisha over time

The chart below shows babies named Lisha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Lisha, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Lisha
02468199620082021

Decades

Lisha by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Lisha 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 #5581 3 1
2010s #5236 14 4
2000s #3337 47 9
1990s #2717 22 4

Related

Names similar to Lisha

FAQ

Lisha: questions and answers

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

In 2021, Lisha was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Lisha most popular?

The peak year on record was 2001, with 8 babies registered as Lisha in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Lisha?

A feminine given name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning "God's promise".

How many people are called Lisha in the UK?

A total of 86 babies have been registered as Lisha across the 18 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.