Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maisha
GirlSwahili· “life”
- Meaning
- life
- Origin
- Swahili
- Pronunciation
- MY-shuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #8,161
- US babies 2025
- 13
- Best rank
- #1,122 (1977)
- Peak year
- 1977
Meaning and origin of Maisha
Maisha is a Swahili name that means “life”.
Maisha is a Swahili word meaning life, related to the Arabic ma'isha, livelihood. It is used as a given name in East Africa and in African American families who value names with African roots. It is said MY-shuh, two syllables with the stress on the first. The name is short and bright, and it sits beside names like Aisha and Maya. Its meaning is simple and positive. It is uncommon in the United States, which some parents may see as part of its charm.
Popularity over time
Maisha first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,122 in 1977, the same year it reached its highest count of 114 babies. In 2025, 13 babies were named Maisha, and it ranked #8,161 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,821 in 1980, #6,120 in 2000, #6,552 in 2010, and #8,161 in 2025. Of the 1,918 US girls named Maisha since records began, 38% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 365 babies. Since 2010, 279 more have been named Maisha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Shonta, Shalanda, Lakeesha, Cristie, and Shaunte.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maisha is usually pronounced MY-shuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Maisha
A few middle names that flow with Maisha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maisha
Similar names
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SAH-shuh
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eye-EE-shuh
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NEE-shuh
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Sascha Unisex
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Marsha Girl
MAHR-shuh
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Misha Girl
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Trisha Girl
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Dasha Girl
DAH-shuh
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Neha Girl
NAY-hah
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Keisha Girl
KEE-shuh
“uncertain; perhaps from Keziah” · American (modern coinage)
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Mischa Girl
MEE-shuh
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Tisha Girl
TIH-shuh
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#6,304
Lists that include Maisha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maisha mean?
Maisha is a Swahili name that means “life”.
What is the origin of the name Maisha?
Maisha has Swahili roots. Maisha is a Swahili word meaning life, related to the Arabic ma'isha, livelihood.
Is Maisha a popular name?
Not especially. Maisha ranked #8,161 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Maisha a boy or girl name?
Maisha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maisha?
Maisha is usually pronounced MY-shuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings