Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Monisha
GirlSanskrit, Hindi· “variant of Manisha, intellect or wish”
- Meaning
- variant of Manisha, intellect or wish
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- moh-NEE-shuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #1,384 (1983)
- Peak year
- 1983
Meaning and origin of Monisha
Monisha is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “variant of Manisha, intellect or wish”.
Monisha is usually understood as a form of Manisha, a Sanskrit name meaning intellect, wisdom or desire, from the root man, to think. Manisha is common across India, and the Monisha spelling is used in Bengal and elsewhere. In the United States, Monisha has also been used as a blend of Monica with the popular -isha ending, which gives the name a second, American background. It is said moh-NEE-shuh or muh-NEE-shuh. Mona and Nisha are possible nicknames. The name has a graceful, flowing sound and a thoughtful meaning in its Indian form.
Popularity over time
Monisha first appears in US Social Security records in 1961. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,384 in 1983, the same year it reached its highest count of 86 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #2,842 in 1980, #5,871 in 2000, and #16,341 in 2010. Of the 1,254 US girls named Monisha since records began, 37% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 438 babies. Since 2010, 28 more have been named Monisha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Phuong, Candra, Talitha, Donielle, and My.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Monisha is usually pronounced moh-NEE-shuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Monisha
A few middle names that flow with Monisha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Monisha
Similar names
Anisha Girl
uh-NEE-shuh
“uninterrupted; without night” · Sanskrit
#4,560
Neha Girl
NAY-hah
“love, affection” · Hindi
#5,662
Anusha Girl
uh-NOO-shuh
“uncertain; Sanskrit name linked to a star” · Sanskrit
rare
Nisha Girl
NEE-shuh
“night” · Sanskrit
#8,216
Asha Girl
AH-shuh
“hope” · Sanskrit
#1,373
Ananya Girl
uh-NUHN-yuh
“unique, without equal” · Sanskrit
#3,105
Isha Girl
EE-shuh
“ruler, lord” · Sanskrit
#1,276
Anjali Girl
UHN-juh-lee
“offering with joined hands” · Sanskrit
#2,652
Tanisha Girl
tuh-NEE-shuh
“uncertain, modern coinage” · American (modern coinage)
#6,802
Maliha Girl
mah-LEE-hah
“beautiful, charming” · Arabic
#5,340
Saisha Girl
SY-shuh
“uncertain; modern Indian name” · Hindi
#3,019
Samantha Girl
suh-MAN-thuh
“uncertain; possibly Samuel plus -antha” · American (modern coinage)
#151
Lists that include Monisha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Monisha mean?
Monisha is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “variant of Manisha, intellect or wish”.
What is the origin of the name Monisha?
Monisha has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Monisha is usually understood as a form of Manisha, a Sanskrit name meaning intellect, wisdom or desire, from the root man, to think.
Is Monisha a popular name?
No. Monisha was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Monisha a boy or girl name?
Monisha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Monisha?
Monisha is usually pronounced moh-NEE-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