Mischa is a name of Russian origin, derived from the Hebrew name Michael, which means "who is like God?" In Russia, Mischa is often used as a diminutive or nickname for Mikhail (the Russian equivalent of Michael). Despite its Hebrew origins, Mischa has become popular in Russia and other Slavic countries.
The name Mischa first gained prominence in Russia during the 19th century. It was particularly popular among the intelligentsia, including notable figures like the poet Mikhail Lermontov and the playwright Anton Chekhov. Both of these authors used the name Mischa for characters in their works, furtherpopularizing it throughout Russian literature.
Today, Mischa remains a popular name in Russia and other Slavic countries. It is often given to boys but can also be used as a unisex name. While its popularity has not spread as widely outside of these regions, Mischa continues to be recognized as a unique and distinctively Russian name.
The name Mischa has been given to babies born in the United States for several decades, with fluctuations in its popularity over time. In the early years covered by this data set (1953-1970), there were fewer than 20 births each year on average. However, starting from 1971, we see a significant increase in the number of babies named Mischa, with a peak of 125 births recorded in 2008.
The highest frequency of the name Mischa occurs between 1971 and 1983, during which there were consistently more than 20 births per year. The average number of births per year during this period was approximately 24. This is a notable increase compared to the earlier years where the annual average did not exceed 10 births.
From 1984 onwards, the popularity of the name Mischa starts to decline gradually. Although there are still some years with more than 20 births (like 1990 and 1991), these instances become less frequent. The lowest point in recent history occurred in 2017 with only 29 births, which is a significant drop from the peak observed in 2008.
Despite this decline, Mischa remains an uncommon yet timeless name, with its popularity ebbing and flowing over time. Between 2018 and 2023, there have been between 22 to 31 births each year, indicating that while not as popular as it once was, the name Mischa continues to be chosen by parents in the United States.
In summary, throughout this data set covering several decades, a total of 1646 babies were named Mischa in the United States. The name's popularity has varied over time, with periods of increased usage between 1971 and 1983, followed by a gradual decline from 1984 onwards. Nevertheless, Mischa remains an uncommon yet enduring choice for parents in the United States.