Kiesha is a unique and captivating name of African-American origin. It was created by author Virginia Hamilton for her novel "The House of Dies Dreaming," published in 1968. The name Kiesha has gained popularity since its introduction in the book, with many parents choosing it for their daughters due to its distinctive sound and rich history.
There is no universally agreed-upon meaning associated with the name Kiesha. However, some people interpret it as a variation of the name Keisha or Kesha, which means "favorite" or "pleasing." Others associate it with African names like Keisha or Keshi, which have varying meanings such as "life" or "happiness."
The character Kiesha in Hamilton's novel is a young girl who faces challenges and triumphs throughout the story. She is a strong-willed and resilient individual, qualities that some parents may hope their daughters carrying this name will embody.
Despite its African-American roots and growing popularity among black families, the name Kiesha has been embraced by people from diverse backgrounds around the world. It is often seen as a modern and unique alternative to more traditional names like Jessica or Kaitlyn.
In terms of pronunciation, Kiesha is typically pronounced /KEY-shah/, with emphasis on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like "key" and "sea."
Overall, Kiesha is an attractive and distinctive name with a rich literary history. While it does not have a universally agreed-upon meaning, its association with strength, resilience, and creativity makes it a popular choice for parents looking to give their daughters a unique identity.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends related to the number of babies named Kiesha born annually in the United States from 1965 to 2010.
Firstly, it's interesting to note that the name Kiesha first appeared in 1965 with 16 births. The popularity of the name steadily increased throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, reaching a peak in 1972 with 96 births.
From 1973 onwards, the number of babies named Kiesha started to decline gradually but consistently. By the end of the 1980s, fewer than 100 babies were being named Kiesha each year. This downward trend continued into the 1990s and the early 2000s, with less than 30 babies named Kiesha born annually between 1997 and 2005.
Despite the decline in popularity, there have been some fluctuations in recent years. For example, after reaching a low of 6 births in 2008, the number of babies named Kiesha doubled to 11 births in 2009. However, it then fell back down to 5 births in 2010.
In total, over the span of 46 years (from 1965 to 2010), there were a combined 2,621 babies named Kiesha born in the United States. This statistic underscores the enduring presence of this name in American culture, despite its varying popularity over time.
It's also worth mentioning that these statistics reflect the overall trend across all regions and demographics within the United States. The popularity of the name Kiesha may have varied by geographic location or among specific cultural groups during this period.
In conclusion, while the name Kiesha has experienced a significant decline in popularity since its peak in the early 1970s, it remains a distinctive and recognizable name in American culture, as evidenced by the total number of babies named Kiesha born over the course of four decades.