Jonisha is a unique and beautiful name of African American origin, derived from the Hebrew name "Johannah," which means "God is gracious." The name Jonisha has a rich history and cultural significance.
The name Jonisha is believed to have originated in the United States among African American communities in the early to mid-20th century. It is thought to have been created as a variation of the popular names Joan and Joanna, which were widely used at that time. The addition of the suffix "-isha" was likely inspired by other names commonly used in African American communities, such asisha, Latisha, and Tamisha.
Despite its relatively recent origins, Jonisha has become a well-established name in many African American communities and beyond. It is often associated with strength, grace, and intelligence, reflecting the positive attributes of those who bear this unique moniker.
One notable figure named Jonisha is American actress and singer Jonisha Goree, known for her role as Tiana Brown on the hit television series "A Different World." Goree's success has helped to further popularize the name Jonisha among new generations.
In conclusion, Jonisha is a distinctive and meaningful name with deep roots in African American culture. Its origins may be relatively recent, but its significance is profound, reflecting the strength, grace, and resilience of those who bear this beautiful name.
Statistics on the Given Name Jonisha in the United States:
Over a span of nearly three decades (from 1975 to 2008), the name Jonisha was given to a total of 437 newborn girls in the United States. The popularity of this name varied significantly from year to year.
In the earliest recorded years, the name Jonisha was relatively uncommon. Between 1975 and 1980, there were only five births each year except for 1979 when eight babies were named Jonisha.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a significant increase in the popularity of this name. Starting from 1988 with 18 births, the numbers steadily rose to reach a peak in 1993 with 36 births. This trend continued into the mid-1990s, with the highest number of Jonisha births recorded at 33 in 1992.
However, after reaching its zenith, the popularity of the name Jonisha began to decline. From 1995 onwards, the annual number of Jonisha births fell consistently until it reached its lowest point in recent years with six births each in 2002 and 2006.
Despite this overall downward trend since the mid-1990s, there have been fluctuations in popularity. For instance, the year 2004 saw a slight increase from the previous year's seven births to twelve Jonisha births. This pattern of fluctuation can be observed throughout the latter part of the period under review.
Overall, while Jonisha was not consistently among the most popular names during this period, it did enjoy periods of notable popularity, particularly between 1988 and 1993.