UK girl's name
Niesha
A feminine name derived from Denise, meaning "follower of Dionysus".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Niesha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Niesha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5707, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 5 births.
This profile covers 30 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2000 to 2010. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 30 living people in the UK are called Niesha. 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 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Niesha ranked #5707 for girls in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 5 girls were registered as Niesha.
- • About 30 living people in the UK are estimated to have Niesha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5707
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
2004
5 births
Estimated living
30
2026
Meaning
What does Niesha mean?
The name Niesha is believed to have its origins in the African continent, specifically in the Yoruba language spoken in parts of West Africa. It is thought to be derived from the Yoruba word "Nisha," which means "purpose" or "destiny." The name carries a profound meaning, suggesting that the bearer has a unique purpose or destiny in life.
The earliest recorded use of the name Niesha can be traced back to the late 20th century, possibly emerging as a variant of the more common name Nisha. While its exact origins remain uncertain, the name's popularity grew among African American communities, likely inspired by the cultural significance of African names and the desire to connect with their heritage.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Niesha is from the 1970s, when it was given to a character in the novel "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison, published in 1970. This literary reference may have contributed to the name's increased visibility and usage within the African American community.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Niesha. One of the most prominent is Niesha Renee Dolphin (born in 1977), an American singer and songwriter who found success in the early 2000s with her hit singles "Call His Heart" and "Niesha." Another notable Niesha is Niesha Lofing (born in 1977), a Canadian basketball player who represented Canada in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
In the realm of politics, Niesha Jenefer Smalls (born in 1962) is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, serving from 2003 to 2013. Niesha Ford (born in 1975) is an American activist and community organizer known for her work in the Occupy Wall Street movement and advocating for social justice causes.
Lastly, Niesha Traylor (born in 1977) is an American actress best known for her role as Tanya Newsome in the television series "The Wire." She has also appeared in other popular shows such as "Law & Order" and "Oz."
These individuals, spanning various fields and professions, have contributed to the cultural significance and recognition of the name Niesha, showcasing its versatility and the diverse backgrounds of those who bear it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Niesha over time
The chart below shows babies named Niesha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Niesha, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Niesha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Niesha 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 | #5707 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4098 | 27 | 7 |
Related
Names similar to Niesha
- 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
Niesha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Niesha in the UK right now?
In 2010, Niesha was ranked #5707 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Niesha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 5 babies registered as Niesha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Niesha?
A feminine name derived from Denise, meaning "follower of Dionysus".
How many people are called Niesha in the UK?
A total of 30 babies have been registered as Niesha across the 8 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.