Jaleisha is a unique and captivating feminine given name of African-American origin. It is derived from the Swahili word "jale", which means "happy". The suffix "-isha" is also of Swahili origin, indicating something that belongs to or is related to someone.
The name Jaleisha is believed to have been created in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s as part of a trend towards African-American names inspired by Swahili culture. This trend was popularized by figures such as the poet and activist Maya Angelou, who named her son Guy "Mageba" Johnson after the Swahili word for "rock".
Throughout history, many notable individuals have carried the name Jaleisha or variations of it. For example, Jaleesa Martin is an American basketball player who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games, while Jaleesa Jones is a professional footballer from Trinidad and Tobago.
Overall, Jaleisha is a beautiful and distinctive name that carries with it a rich cultural heritage and history. Its meaning of "happy" or "joyful" makes it an appealing choice for parents looking to give their child a unique and meaningful name with positive connotations.
In the United States, the name Jaleisha has seen varied popularity over the years. According to the statistics provided:
* In 1989, there were 8 babies named Jaleisha.
* The following year, in 1990, this number decreased slightly with only 5 newborns given the name Jaleisha.
* However, the trend reversed in 1991 with a total of 10 births for the name Jaleisha.
* In 1992, the popularity seemed to stabilize at 8 births once again.
* After a brief dip in 1993 with only 5 births, there was another slight increase in 1996 with also 5 babies named Jaleisha.
In summary, over these six years (1989-1993 and 1996), the name Jaleisha was given to a total of 41 newborns in the United States.