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Keisha

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEE-shuh /ˈkiː.ʃə/Medium

Meaning: Cassia, cinnamonMedium

In 30 seconds: Keisha is an African American name carrying the sense of cassia or cinnamon, the fragrant spice. It has a warm, distinctive sound that helped make it a familiar choice.

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Origin MediumAfrican American

MeaningCassia, cinnamon

U.S. rank (2025)#2738 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births63 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1977

Total births (all-time)≈ 22,290

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

The name is connected to cassia, a type of cinnamon, giving it a spice meaning. It became well established within African American naming, where it appears alongside spellings like Keshia and Keysha. Those variations share the same sound while differing on the page.

New Zealand actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar-nominated for Whale Rider, is among its best-known bearers. The bright two-beat rhythm sits at the heart of its appeal.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Keisha is 'cassia, cinnamon', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Keisha — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

KeshaKeshiaKeyshaKisha

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Keisha Castle-Hughes (1990–present)
New Zealand actress, Oscar-nominated for Whale Rider.

If you like Keisha…

Cassia— the spice word behind Keisha's 'cinnamon' meaning

Khalia— a fellow African American choice

Sanai— a fellow African American choice

Irie— another African American name

Lovely— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Keisha

By themeafrican-american

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Keisha mean?

Keisha is usually explained as meaning 'cassia, cinnamon' and is most often linked with African American tradition.

How do you pronounce Keisha?

It's commonly said KEE-shuh /ˈkiː.ʃə/.

Is Keisha a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Keisha is used as a girl name.

How popular is Keisha?

In 2024, Keisha ranked #2566 in the U.S. for girls, with 69 births recorded.