Kesha

♀ Girl

Pronounced KEE-shuh /ˈkiː.ʃə/Medium

Meaning: Kesha is chiefly a modern American name, a shorter spelling of Keisha (itself often linked to Lakeisha and, less certainly, to the biblical Keziah). Separately, Kesha is a Russian diminutive of Innokenty. The American singer Kesha Sebert made the spelling widely known. Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A short, bright name: Kesha is a form of Keisha — also the stage name of the pop singer (said 'KEE-shuh'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowEnglish, Russian

MeaningKesha is chiefly a modern American name, a shorter spelling of Keisha (itself often linked to Lakeisha and, less certainly, to the biblical Keziah). Separately, Kesha is a Russian diminutive of Innokenty. The American singer Kesha Sebert made the spelling widely known. Routes uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#14348 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1974

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,241

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

Kesha emerged in American naming in the later twentieth century as a shorter form of Keisha, which is sometimes traced to Lakeisha and sometimes, more loosely, to the biblical Keziah. It is also, quite separately, a Russian pet form of Innokenty. The singer Kesha Sebert brought the spelling worldwide attention from 2009, though the name long predates her. The routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'KEE-shuh').

It was most used in the 1970s and 1980s and is rare for girls in the U.S. today. Rare now, short, and instantly recognizable.

Did you know? Kesha is a genuine given name well before it was a pop star's — a short form of Keisha, common in American naming since the 1970s. The singer Kesha Sebert says hers with a shorter first vowel; the traditional name is 'KEE-shuh'. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Kesha — Short form of Keisha; Russian diminutive of Innokenty; singer Kesha Sebert; routes uncertain

Variations

KeishaKeeshaKiesha

Nicknames

KeshKikiShay

Famous Bearers

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If you like Kesha…

Keisha— the fuller spelling of the same name

Keziah— the older biblical name sometimes linked to it

Tanisha— a like name from the same American wave

Kiara— a like short, bright K- pick

Explore names like Kesha

By themeuncertain modern short pop-culture

By meaningSea / Water Leader

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kesha mean?

Kesha is a short form of Keisha, a modern American name; it is also a Russian pet form of Innokenty. The routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kesha?

It's said KEE-shuh /ˈkiː.ʃə/ — two syllables, stress on the first. The singer Kesha uses a shorter first vowel.

Is Kesha a boy or girl name?

Kesha is used as a girl's name in the U.S.

How popular is Kesha?

Kesha saw more use in the late twentieth century and is rare for girls in the U.S. today.