Keisha

A long-popular name, particularly among the African-American community, Keisha was first publicized by the child actress, Keshia Knight Pulliam, who starred on the old Cosby Show. It entered the US Top 1000 in 1967 and remained there for 30 years, but it hasn't featured again since 1997.

Keshia likely emerged as a spin on the Biblical name Keziah - inspired by either the Keh-zee-uh pronunciation of the name, or it's meaning, "cassia tree", sometimes pronounced as cash-uh. Other theories suggest it's a Swahili name meaning "favorite", a variation of Casey, a spin on the Scottish name Keitha, or a contracted form of the Arabic Khadija.

Recent years had seen usage of Keisha dwindle to around 40 babies each year, but, in 2023, it had a small spike of popularity and was given to 70 girls.

Keisha is also given to boys.

Pronounced KEE-shah.

As of October 2026, Keisha ranked #2738 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #233 in 1976.