Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Tanisha
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “uncertain, modern coinage”
- Meaning
- uncertain, modern coinage (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- tuh-NEE-shuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #6,802
- US babies 2025
- 17
- Best rank
- #318 (1982)
- Peak year
- 1982
Meaning and origin of Tanisha
Tanisha is often said to mean “uncertain, modern coinage”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
Tanisha is an American name of uncertain origin that became popular in the later twentieth century, especially in African American communities. It may be a blend of Tania and Aisha, or of Tanya with the -isha ending found in Keisha and Lakisha. A Hausa meaning, born on Monday, is sometimes suggested, but it is not well supported. It is said tuh-NEE-shuh. Tanisha has a rhythmic, three-syllable sound and a strong connection to the naming creativity of its era. Tan and Nisha work as nicknames. Similar names include Tanesha and Tenisha, which follow the same pattern.
Popularity over time
Tanisha first appears in US Social Security records in 1967. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 29 different years, starting in 1970. Its best national rank was #318 in 1982, the same year it reached its highest count of 758 babies. In 2025, 17 babies were named Tanisha, and it ranked #6,802 nationally. That is 68% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #325 in 1980, #1,209 in 2000, #1,896 in 2010, and #6,802 in 2025. Of the 19,340 US girls named Tanisha since records began, 35% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 5,628 babies. Since 2010, 720 more have been named Tanisha.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Chrystal, Brandie, Tabatha, Hollie, and Tiffani.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Tanisha is usually pronounced tuh-NEE-shuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with T and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Tanisha
A few middle names that flow with Tanisha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Tanisha
Similar names
Samantha Girl
suh-MAN-thuh
“uncertain; possibly Samuel plus -antha” · American (modern coinage)
#151
Laquisha Girl
luh-KEE-shuh
“American coinage, La- plus Keisha” · American (modern coinage)
rare
Maliha Girl
mah-LEE-hah
“beautiful, charming” · Arabic
#5,340
Anusha Girl
uh-NOO-shuh
“uncertain; Sanskrit name linked to a star” · Sanskrit
rare
Natasha Girl
nuh-TAH-shuh
“Christmas day” · Russian
#1,148
Elisha Unisex
ih-LY-shuh
“my God is salvation” · Hebrew
#789
Tabitha Girl
TAB-ih-thuh
“gazelle” · Aramaic
#1,308
Alisha Girl
uh-LEE-shuh
“variant of Alicia; noble kind” · English
#1,229
Abagail Girl
AB-uh-gayl
“my father is joy” · Hebrew
#7,889
Anisha Girl
uh-NEE-shuh
“uninterrupted; without night” · Sanskrit
#4,560
Keisha Girl
KEE-shuh
“uncertain; perhaps from Keziah” · American (modern coinage)
#2,738
Karisma Girl
kuh-RIZ-muh
“variant of Charisma, grace” · American (modern coinage)
#5,035
Lists that include Tanisha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Tanisha mean?
Tanisha is often said to mean “uncertain, modern coinage”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
What is the origin of the name Tanisha?
Tanisha has modern American roots. Tanisha is an American name of uncertain origin that became popular in the later twentieth century, especially in African American communities.
Is Tanisha a popular name?
Not especially. Tanisha ranked #6,802 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Tanisha a boy or girl name?
Tanisha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Tanisha?
Tanisha is usually pronounced tuh-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