Atisha
A girl's name of Sanskrit origin with 124 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Atisha peaked during the Gen X years, when 12 babies received this name in a single year (1977). That era was defined by post-traditional, counterculture-influenced naming, and Atisha has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Atisha is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Atisha is a girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'divine wisdom' or 'a great soul,' and also the name of the renowned 11th-century Buddhist scholar Atiśa Dīpaṃkara, who carried Buddhist teachings from India to Tibet. This name carries extraordinary intellectual and spiritual heritage.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Atisha belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their open, warm ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries. At three syllables, it has a three-beat flow that carries a sense of formality and completeness.
Within the Sanskrit naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Sanskrit names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Atisha’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Atisha has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1972.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 19 | #11449 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 59 | #9432 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 46 | #7305 | — |
The Story of Atisha
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1977, Atisha is a Gen X staple. Girls named Atisha are most likely born between 1972 and 1987.
How rare is Atisha?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Atisha is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1980s with 59 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Atisha by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1972–1994)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 7 | #10678 |
| 1991 | 5 | #13362 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10306 |
| 1989 | 6 | #10973 |
| 1988 | 6 | #10480 |
| 1987 | 6 | #9943 |
| 1986 | 8 | #7808 |
| 1985 | 5 | #10808 |
| 1983 | 5 | #10405 |
| 1982 | 6 | #9322 |
| 1981 | 6 | #9208 |
| 1980 | 11 | #5938 |
| 1979 | 8 | #7372 |
| 1978 | 9 | #6427 |
| 1977 | 12 | #5237 |
| 1976 | 5 | #9390 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8063 |
| 1972 | 6 | #7340 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Atisha a boy's or girl's name?
When was Atisha most popular?
How popular is the name Atisha?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–1994