"night"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi
Nisha
Does Nisha flow with your last name?
A mystical Sanskrit name meaning night
Indian
Hindu
Nepali
Sri Lankan
Elegant
Spiritual
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Nisha
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Nisha
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"darkness before dawn"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Nisha
See all →What the Nisha report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Nisha the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Nisha
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Nisha head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Nisha actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Nisha
Nisha is a Sanskrit feminine name meaning night. In Hindu tradition, the night is not merely darkness but a mystical time associated with the goddess Ratri (Night), the soothing end of the day's heat, moonlight, and divine dreams. The Rigveda contains hymns to Ratri, making the night sacred. Nisha captures this mystical quality, suggesting depth, mystery, and the beautiful darkness that precedes the dawn.
Nisha has been consistently popular across South Asian communities and in the Indian diaspora worldwide. It peaks among Hindu families who appreciate its Sanskrit roots and the poetic association with night.
In Hindu mythology, the night (Nisha/Ratri) is personified as a goddess who brings rest and protection. The name carries both poetic and spiritual significance in Indian culture.
Historical Record
Nisha first appeared in US Social Security records in 1961.
Over 2,979 babies have been named Nisha in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Nisha is past its peak , currently ranked #6,646 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Rigveda, one of the oldest texts in any Indo-European language, contains hymns dedicated to the night deity Ratri
- Nisha shares its Sanskrit root with words describing nocturnal phenomena including night-blooming flowers
Nisha in Other Languages
Hindi
निशा
Tamil
நிஷா
Nepali
निशा
Bengali
নিশা
Sanskrit
निशा
Popularity Over Time
#6,646
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1984
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Nisha
N
Nisha Agrawal
Humanitarian
1964
Indian development professional and former CEO of Oxfam India
N
Nisha Madhulika
Entertainer
1959
Indian food blogger and YouTuber known for her vegetarian cooking videos
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Saachi
Girl
"consort of Indra (divine grace)"
#6,516
Vani
Girl
"goddess of knowledge and arts"
#6,681
Karmani
Girl
"jewel of karma"
#6,470
Yashnareddy
Girl
"from the Reddy community (warrior-landowner lineage)"
#6,691
Sidak
Girl
"truthfulness, sincerity"
#6,493
Compare Nisha with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,646
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Nepali Sri Lankan
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Nish
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Nisha
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Nisha
Phonetic neighbors that share Nisha's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Nisha fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Nisha →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Nisha with...
Same Origin Names (Indian)
See all Indian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Nisha
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Nisha and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Nisha sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Saachi
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"consort of Indra (divine grace)"
#6,516 in US
Vani
Girl
Sanskrit via Saraswati epithet origin
"goddess of knowledge and arts"
#6,681 in US
Karmani
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"jewel of karma"
#6,470 in US
Yashnareddy
Girl
Telugu origin
"from the Reddy community (warrior-lan..."
#6,691 in US
Sidak
Girl
Arabic via Punjabi origin
"truthfulness, sincerity"
#6,493 in US
Kashmir
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"land where water dries (desiccated land)"
#6,589 in US
Megha
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"cloud"
#6,677 in US
Kirpa
Girl
Sanskrit kripa origin
"grace, divine mercy, compassion"
#6,630 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Nisha's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nisha
What does the name Nisha mean?
"night" (from Sanskrit). "darkness before dawn" (from Sanskrit). Nisha is a Sanskrit feminine name meaning night. In Hindu tradition, the night is not merely darkness but a mystical time associated with the goddess Ratri (Night), the soothing end of the day's heat, moonlight, and divine dreams. The Rigveda contains hymns to Ratri, making the night sacred. Nisha captures this mystical quality, suggesting depth, mystery, and the beautiful darkness that precedes the dawn.
What is the origin of the name Nisha?
Nisha has Sanskrit, Indian, Hindu, Nepali, and Sri Lankan origins. In Sanskrit, it means "night". In Sanskrit, it means "darkness before dawn".
Is Nisha a boy or girl name?
Nisha is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Nisha?
Nisha is currently ranked #6646 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Nisha?
Common nicknames for Nisha include Nish.
What are good middle names for Nisha?
Popular middle name pairings include Nisha Priya, Nisha Devi, Nisha Lata, Nisha Kumari, and Nisha Rani.
What are good sibling names for Nisha?
Names that pair well with Nisha as siblings include Priya, Deepa, Rohan, Arjun, and Kavita.
How many syllables does Nisha have?
Nisha has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Nisha a common or rare name?
Nisha is an uncommon name, ranked #6646 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Nisha?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Nisha
Nisha is a girl name with Indian, Hindu, Nepali, and Sri Lankan origins . The name means "night" in Sanskrit .
Nisha is currently ranked #6,646 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Nisha has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Nisha include Nish. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Sanskrit Names
Browse all names with this origin
N
Names Starting with N
More girl names like Nisha
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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