Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Misha
GirlRussian, Hebrew· “who is like God”
- Meaning
- who is like God
- Origin
- Russian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MEE-shuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,236
- US babies 2025
- 49
- Best rank
- #1,252 (1972)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Misha
Misha is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “who is like God”.
Misha is a Russian diminutive of Mikhail, the Russian form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning who is like God. In Russia, Misha is traditionally a boy's nickname, and it is also a classic name for bears in Russian folklore. In the United States and elsewhere, Misha has come to be used for girls as well, partly because of its soft sound. It is short, friendly and easy to say. Mish is a simple nickname. Misha carries a gentle, international feel with deep biblical roots.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mischa.
Popularity over time
Misha first appears in US Social Security records in 1954. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,252 in 1972, and the most babies received it in 1991, when 135 were named Misha. In 2025, 49 babies were named Misha, and it ranked #3,236 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,264 in 1980, #4,141 in 2000, #2,532 in 2010, and #3,236 in 2025. Of the 4,255 US girls named Misha since records began, 20% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 739 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ilana, Markie, Arianne, Page, and Kirstyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Misha ranked highest in California, Florida, and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2224 | 9 |
| Florida | #2388 | 5 |
| Texas | #3647 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 84% of US babies named Misha over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Misha is usually pronounced MEE-shuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-ha”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mischa.
Middle names for Misha
A few middle names that flow with Misha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Misha
Similar names
Dasha Girl
DAH-shuh
“Russian pet form of Darya” · Russian
#2,128
Sasha Girl
SAH-shuh
“defender of the people” · Russian
#684
Mariya Girl
mah-REE-yuh
“form of Maria” · Russian
#3,879
Danya Girl
DAHN-yuh
“God is judge, or pet form of Daniel” · Hebrew
#4,283
Ilya Unisex
EEL-yuh
“Russian form of Elijah; my God is Yahweh” · Russian
#3,153
Anya Girl
AHN-yuh
“grace; pet form of Anna” · Russian
#375
Natasha Girl
nuh-TAH-shuh
“Christmas day” · Russian
#1,148
Sascha Unisex
SAH-shuh
“German pet form of Alexander” · German
rare
Asha Girl
AH-shuh
“hope” · Sanskrit
#1,373
Ayesha Girl
eye-EE-shuh
“alive, living” · Arabic
#1,396
Trisha Girl
TRIH-shuh
“noble” · English
#3,511
Keisha Girl
KEE-shuh
“uncertain; perhaps from Keziah” · American (modern coinage)
#2,738
Lists that include Misha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Misha mean?
Misha is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “who is like God”.
What is the origin of the name Misha?
Misha has Russian and Hebrew roots. Misha is a Russian diminutive of Mikhail, the Russian form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning who is like God.
Is Misha a popular name?
Not especially. Misha ranked #3,236 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Misha a boy or girl name?
Misha is mainly a girl's name. About 84% of US babies named Misha over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Misha?
Misha is usually pronounced MEE-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