"cassia tree, cinnamon spice"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Keisha
Does Keisha flow with your last name?
A bold biblical spice name with soul
African-American
American
Caribbean
Bold
Strong
Modern
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"favorite, precious one"
Origin: African-American coined
Language: English
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The Story of Keisha
Keisha is an African-American innovation rooted in the biblical name Keziah (also spelled Kezia), the name of one of Job's three daughters in the Old Testament. Keziah derives from the Hebrew word for the cassia tree, a plant related to cinnamon whose fragrant bark was prized as a spice and used in ancient anointing oils. The name gained new life in African-American communities during the late 20th century as parents sought names with both cultural resonance and a distinctly modern sound.
Keisha rose strongly in the US during the 1970s-1990s, particularly within African-American communities, as part of a broader movement celebrating distinctive cultural identity through naming. The name peaked in the 1980s and has since declined as naming tastes shifted.
In African-American naming tradition, Keisha represents a creative bridge between biblical heritage and contemporary Black identity. The name's bold sound and rhythmic quality made it emblematic of an era when parents actively crafted names that sounded distinctly their own.
Historical Record
Keisha first appeared in US Social Security records in 1961.
Over 22,227 babies have been named Keisha in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Keisha is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,567 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Keziah, the root name, appears in the Book of Job as one of the most beautiful women of her time
- The cassia plant referenced was used in ancient temple incense described in Exodus
- Kesha (the pop singer) uses a variant spelling that helped revive awareness of the name in the 2010s
Keisha in Other Languages
Arabic
كيشا
French
Keisha
Hebrew
קְצִיעָה (Ketziah)
Spanish
Keisha
Popularity Over Time
#2,567
Current Rank
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Keisha
K
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Actor
1990
New Zealand actress nominated for an Academy Award for Whale Rider at age 13
K
Keisha Buchanan
Musician
1984
British singer and member of the pop group Sugababes
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Compare Keisha with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,567
- Total SSA Count
- 69
- Cultural Origins
- African-American American Caribbean
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Kei
Kee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Keisha
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Keisha is also used as a boy name, ranked #40013.
View Keisha as a boy name →Similar Names
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Hebrew grammatical form origin
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Arabic/Hebrew origin
"radiant, shining light"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Keisha
What does the name Keisha mean?
"cassia tree, cinnamon spice" (from Hebrew). "favorite, precious one" (from African-American coined). Keisha is an African-American innovation rooted in the biblical name Keziah (also spelled Kezia), the name of one of Job's three daughters in the Old Testament. Keziah derives from the Hebrew word for the cassia tree, a plant related to cinnamon whose fragrant bark was prized as a spice and used in ancient anointing oils. The name gained new life in African-American communities during the late 20th century as parents sought names with both cultural resonance and a distinctly modern sound.
What is the origin of the name Keisha?
Keisha has Hebrew, African-American coined, African-American, American, and Caribbean origins. In Hebrew, it means "cassia tree, cinnamon spice". In African-American coined, it means "favorite, precious one".
Is Keisha a boy or girl name?
Keisha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2567. As a boy name, it is ranked #40013. Keisha is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Keisha?
Keisha is currently ranked #2567 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Keisha?
Common nicknames for Keisha include Kei and Kee.
What are good middle names for Keisha?
Popular middle name pairings include Keisha Marie, Keisha Nicole, Keisha Renee, Keisha Lynn, Keisha Monique, Keisha Simone, and Keisha Danielle.
What are good sibling names for Keisha?
Names that pair well with Keisha as siblings include Deja, Aaliyah, Jordan, Tamara, Malik, Jada, Brianna, and Marcus.
How many syllables does Keisha have?
Keisha has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Keisha a common or rare name?
Keisha is an uncommon name, ranked #2567 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Keisha
Keisha is a girl name with African-American, American, and Caribbean origins . The name means "cassia tree, cinnamon spice" in Hebrew .
Is Keisha a boy or girl name? Keisha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,567 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #40,013. Keisha is more commonly used as a girl name.
Keisha is currently ranked #2,567 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Keisha has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Keisha include Kei and Kee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis