Kisha is a female given name of African American origin, regarded as a variant of Keisha. The name Keisha itself emerged in the 1960s, likely as an invented name possibly inspired by Keziah, a biblical name from the Hebrew (Qetsiʿa) meaning "cassia" or "cinnamon," referring to the spice tree. In the Old Testament, Keziah is one of the three daughters of Job (Job 42:14), noted for their beauty.Kisha emerged as a late-20th-century coinage, reflecting the creative freedom and distinctive spelling choices common in African American naming traditions. It is one of several variants—including Kesha, Keshia, and Keysha—that all stem from the same phonetic root. The name does not have deep historical roots but gained steady usage through popular culture and within communities embracing unique names with melodic sounds.Notable BearersNotable individuals named Kisha include Kisha Duncan-Jones, a politician from Maryland; Kisha Chase, an American actress known for minor roles in the 1990s; and Kisha Wilson, an Olympic field hockey player for South Africa. These examples highlight its moderate but consistent presence across fields in the United States and abroad.Cultural SignificanceSynthetic and invented names like Kisha illustrate a broader trend since the 1960s of opting against traditional/European names in favor of original creations, contributing to a distinctively African American linguistic identity akin to names Shanice, LaToya, etc.Meaning: Variant of Keisha, possibly inspired by Keziah ("cassia" or "cinnamon" in Hebrew)Origin: African American (derived from Keisha ↔ Keziah → Hebrew)Type: First name (feminine)Usage regions: United States, African American community primarily starting around 1970s onward