Tonisha

Diminutive of Antonia

Tonisha Origin and Meaning

The name Tonisha is a girl's name.

Tonisha is a feminine name that appears to be a modern formation combining the prefix 'Ton-' (possibly related to names like Toni, Antonia, or Antonio) with the suffix '-isha,' a phonetic element that became popular in American naming practices in the latter part of the 20th century. The '-isha' suffix may be influenced by traditional names with similar endings from various linguistic traditions. Tonisha first appeared on U.S. naming records in notable numbers in the 1970s and saw its greatest popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s. The name exemplifies creative naming practices that emerged in American communities during this period, where familiar sounds were recombined to create distinctive new names with a melodic quality.