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Home › Baby Names Directory › Misha

Misha

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEE-shah /ˈmiː.ʃə/High

Meaning: who is like God? (diminutive of Mikhail/Michael)High

In 30 seconds: Misha is a Russian diminutive of Mikhail (Michael) meaning who is like God? Traditionally a boy's nickname in Russia, it is used for girls in Western countries and has a soft, international appeal.
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Origin HighRussian, Hebrew
Meaningwho is like God? (diminutive of Mikhail/Michael)
U.S. rank (2025)#3236 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births49 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1991
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,255

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199119542025

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

Misha is the Russian diminutive of Mikhail, the Russian form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el meaning who is like God? In Russia, Misha is primarily a masculine nickname. In Western countries, particularly the US, it has been adopted as a feminine name.

Misha gained Western feminine use partly through the fame of ballet dancer Mikhail (Misha) Baryshnikov, who defected to the West in 1974. As a girl's name it offers a Slavic-international feel with a gentle sound.

Did you know? The mascot of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics was Misha the bear — a beloved cartoon brown bear whose image became one of the most famous sporting mascots in Olympic history.
Overall data confidence 88%
Hanks & Hodges, Dictionary of First Names — reference for MishaBehind the Name: Misha — name etymology reference

Variations

MishkaMischaMichka

Nicknames

MiMish

Famous Bearers

  • ★Mikhail 'Misha' Baryshnikov (1948–present)
    Latvian-born American ballet dancer and choreographer, widely known by the nickname Misha; one of the preeminent dancers of the 1970s–1980s.
  • ★Misha Collins (1974–present)
    American actor best known for playing the angel Castiel in the CW series Supernatural.

If you like Misha…

Sasha— Russian diminutive used as feminine name in the West
Natasha— Russian feminine name of similar international charm
Anya— Russian form of Anna used as standalone name
Irina— Russian feminine classic with similar soft sound

Explore names like Misha

By themetwo-syllableslavicrussiandiminutiveinternational
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Misha mean?

Misha means who is like God? as a Russian diminutive of Mikhail (Michael), from the Hebrew Mikha'el.

How do you pronounce Misha?

Misha is pronounced MEE-shah (/ˈmiː.ʃə/), with two syllables.

Is Misha a girl's name?

Misha is a boy's nickname in Russia but is used as a girl's name in Western countries. It is listed here as used for girls.

How popular is the name Misha?

Misha is moderately popular in Western countries as a feminine name, and widely known in Russia as a masculine nickname.

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