Kaneesha, of African origin, is derived from the Swahili word 'kane' meaning 'spear'. It is a unisex name but more commonly used for females. The name was popularized by American poet and activist Audre Lorde who chose it as her pen name in the 1960s. Kaneesha gained prominence during the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s-70s, reflecting a trend towards African-inspired names during this period. The name has since been embraced by various communities worldwide and is often associated with strength, independence, and cultural pride.
The name Kaneesha appears to have been quite popular among parents from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, with a significant spike in usage between 1989 and 1991, reaching its peak in 1990 with 175 births. However, popularity declined steadily afterwards, dropping below 20 births per year from 1993 onwards.