NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Neesha

A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "night of joy".

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.

Neesha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Neesha 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 1998, with 12 births.

This profile covers 80 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 1996 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 25% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 79 living people in the UK are called Neesha. 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

  • Neesha ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 12 girls were registered as Neesha.
  • About 79 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neesha 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

1998

12 births

Estimated living

79

2026

Meaning

What does Neesha mean?

The name Neesha has its roots in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Nisha," which means "night" or "darkness." The name is widely used in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions where Sanskrit and its derived languages were prevalent.

In Hindu mythology, there are references to the concept of "Nisha" as a personification of the night. It was often depicted as a feminine force and was associated with the moon and the cycle of day and night. The name Neesha, therefore, may have been chosen to honor this mythological representation or to convey a sense of beauty, mystery, and serenity associated with the night.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neesha can be found in ancient Sanskrit texts and inscriptions. However, it is difficult to pinpoint a specific historical figure from that era who bore this name. As time passed, the name gained popularity across various regions of India and neighboring countries, where it was adapted to different linguistic variations.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Neesha. One prominent figure was Neesha Sujan, a renowned Punjabi poetess and lyricist who lived in the 18th century. Her poetic works, which often celebrated the beauty of nature and love, have been widely acclaimed and continue to be studied today.

In the realm of arts and culture, Neesha Menon was a celebrated Indian classical dancer from the 20th century. Born in 1928, she was a prominent exponent of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance form, and played a significant role in popularizing and preserving this art form.

Another notable individual was Neesha Sindhu, a pioneering Indian environmentalist and activist who dedicated her life to the conservation of natural resources and raising awareness about environmental issues. Her work in the latter half of the 20th century paved the way for many successful environmental campaigns and initiatives.

In the field of science, Neesha Raghavan was an Indian-American astrophysicist who made significant contributions to the study of black holes and gravitational waves. Born in 1965, she was a renowned researcher and professor at various prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Lastly, Neesha Saxena was a celebrated Indian writer and journalist who lived from 1937 to 2019. Her novels, short stories, and articles explored themes of social justice, feminism, and the complexities of modern Indian society. Her literary works have been widely acclaimed and have left a lasting impact on Indian literature.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Neesha throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Neesha over time

The chart below shows babies named Neesha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Neesha, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Neesha
036912199620062016

Decades

Neesha by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neesha 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 #5084 12 3
2000s #3546 38 8
1990s #2244 30 4

Related

Names similar to Neesha

FAQ

Neesha: questions and answers

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

In 2016, Neesha was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Neesha most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 12 babies registered as Neesha in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Neesha?

A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "night of joy".

How many people are called Neesha in the UK?

A total of 80 babies have been registered as Neesha across the 15 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.