UK girl's name
Melisha
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of names.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Melisha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Melisha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4524, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 8 births.
This profile covers 29 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1997 to 2008. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 29 living people in the UK are called Melisha. 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 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Melisha ranked #4524 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 8 girls were registered as Melisha.
- • About 29 living people in the UK are estimated to have Melisha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4524
2008
Births in 2008
4
Latest year
Peak year
2004
8 births
Estimated living
29
2026
Meaning
What does Melisha mean?
The name Melisha has its roots in the ancient Sanskrit language, originating in the Indian subcontinent. It is believed to have derived from the word "Malisha," meaning "jasmine flower" or "garland of flowers." The earliest known mentions of the name can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts, where it was often associated with goddesses and feminine deities revered for their beauty and grace.
In the centuries that followed, the name Melisha found its way into various other cultures and languages across Asia and the Middle East. It was particularly popular among the Persian and Arabic-speaking populations, where slight variations in spelling and pronunciation emerged, such as "Maleesha" or "Maleesa."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Melisha can be found in the writings of the renowned Persian poet and philosopher, Rumi (1207-1273 CE). In his poetic works, Rumi often used the name as a metaphor for the beauty and purity of the human soul.
During the medieval era, the name Melisha gained popularity among the royal families of the Middle East. One notable figure was Princess Melisha of Persia (1425-1490 CE), who was renowned for her patronage of the arts and her support for scholars and poets.
As trade and cultural exchange flourished along the Silk Road, the name Melisha made its way to various parts of the world, including Europe and Africa. In the 16th century, there are records of a Melisha de Silva, a prominent Portuguese explorer and trader who played a crucial role in establishing trade routes between Europe and the East Indies.
Another notable figure bearing the name Melisha was Melisha Bey (1670-1740 CE), a powerful Ottoman military leader and statesman who served as the Governor of Egypt during the early 18th century.
In more recent times, the name Melisha has gained popularity in various parts of the world, often with slight variations in spelling and pronunciation. However, its ancient origins and rich cultural heritage continue to make it a unique and captivating name, resonating with a sense of beauty, grace, and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Melisha over time
The chart below shows babies named Melisha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Melisha, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2008, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Melisha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Melisha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3157 | 22 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3511 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Melisha
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Melisha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Melisha in the UK right now?
In 2008, Melisha was ranked #4524 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Melisha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 8 babies registered as Melisha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Melisha?
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly a blend of names.
How many people are called Melisha in the UK?
A total of 29 babies have been registered as Melisha across the 6 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.