UK girl's name
Nakisha
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly American or Aboriginal.
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.
Nakisha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nakisha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 7 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Nakisha. 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
- • Nakisha ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 7 girls were registered as Nakisha.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nakisha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5545
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
7 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Nakisha mean?
The given name Nakisha is believed to have originated from the African language of Swahili. It is a combination of two words, "Nakia" meaning "bright" and "Isha" meaning "life." Therefore, the name Nakisha can be interpreted as "bright life" or "radiant life."
The earliest recorded use of the name Nakisha dates back to the late 20th century, particularly in the United States. It gained popularity among African-American communities during the Black Power movement, as parents sought to give their children names that reflected their cultural heritage and celebrated their African roots.
While the name Nakisha does not have a long documented history, it has been associated with a few notable individuals throughout the years. One of the earliest recorded instances is Nakisha Ford, an American actress born in 1982, who has appeared in various television shows and films.
Another prominent figure with the name Nakisha is Nakisha Lewis, an American professional basketball player born in 1989. She has played for several teams in the WNBA and has represented the United States in international competitions.
Nakisha Wynn, an American singer and songwriter born in 1987, is also known for her contribution to the music industry. She has released several albums and has collaborated with various artists.
Nakisha Chohan, born in 1991, is a British actress of Pakistani descent. She has appeared in various television shows and films, including the critically acclaimed series "Gypsy."
Nakisha Ervin-Knott, born in 1975, is an American politician and community activist. She has served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives and has been actively involved in various social and political causes.
While these are just a few examples, the name Nakisha continues to be used by parents around the world, particularly those with African or African-American heritage, as a way to celebrate their cultural roots and bestow upon their children a name with a meaningful and empowering connotation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nakisha over time
The chart below shows babies named Nakisha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Nakisha, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nakisha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nakisha 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 | #4841 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2401 | 18 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Nakisha
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nakisha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nakisha in the UK right now?
In 2008, Nakisha was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nakisha most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 7 babies registered as Nakisha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nakisha?
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly American or Aboriginal.
How many people are called Nakisha in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Nakisha across the 5 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.