Nekesha

A girl's name of African American origin with 280 recorded U.S. births.

Girl's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Fewer than 280 Americans have ever been named Nekesha. It first appeared in SSA records in 1972 and peaked modestly at 27 births in 1977 — rare enough to be distinctive, with just enough history to feel grounded.

Nekesha is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.

Nekesha is a girl's baby name of African American origin, a creative coinage blending the Ne- prefix with the popular ending -kesha, as in Keisha — itself of African origin possibly from the Swahili Keziah (cinnamon tree). Keisha was enormously popular in African American communities in the 1970s–80s, and Nekesha builds on that sonic foundation.

Nekesha has a lively, rhythmic quality — three syllables with the energetic -kesha landing providing a familiar yet fresh ending.

EtymologyShow more

Nekesha first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1972. First appearing in the 1970s, Nekesha emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.

Its African American classification suggests a path from african american linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.

At a Glance

280

Total births

Since 1972

1977

Peak

27 births

1972

First recorded

25 years of data

Compare Nekesha with another name

Popularity Over Time

Nekesha has 21+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1972.

First appeared: 1972Peak: 1977 (27 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Nekesha
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1990s	24	#10597	▼
1980s	120	#7407	▼
1970s	136	#4241	—

The Story of Nekesha

A Gen X name

Peaking in 1977, Nekesha is a Gen X staple. Girls named Nekesha are most likely born between 1972 and 1987.

How rare is Nekesha?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Nekesha 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 1970s with 136 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.

Nekesha by the numbers

Would fill 6 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(21 years, 1972–1996)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Nekesha
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1996	6	#12974	-5 (-45.5%)
1991	11	#7800	+4 (57.1%)
1990	7	#11017	+2 (40.0%)
1989	5	#13840	-3 (-37.5%)
1988	8	#8961	+3 (60.0%)
1987	5	#12629	-6 (-54.5%)
1986	11	#6452	+4 (57.1%)
1985	7	#8979	-9 (-56.3%)
1984	16	#4661	-1 (-5.9%)
1983	17	#4412	+6 (54.5%)
1982	11	#6224	-9 (-45.0%)
1981	20	#3961	0
1980	20	#3948	+5 (33.3%)
1979	15	#4772	-7 (-31.8%)
1978	22	#3465	-5 (-18.5%)
1977	27	#2971	+7 (35.0%)
1976	20	#3490	+2 (11.1%)
1975	18	#3722	+4 (28.6%)
1974	14	#4377	+2 (16.7%)
1973	12	#4756	+4 (50.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nekesha a boy's or girl's name?

Nekesha is primarily a girl's name.

When was Nekesha most popular?

Nekesha reached its peak popularity in 1977 with 27 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Nekesha?

Nekesha is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 280 babies in the U.S. since 1972. Its peak was in 1977.

Explore More

By Length7-letter names By OriginAfrican American names By EndingNames in -a TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–1996