Markiesha is of African origin, derived from the Swahili word 'mkubwa' which means 'big'. It is a unique and striking name, often shortened to the more familiar 'Mya'. The spelling variant Markisha is also recognized. This name was popularized in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, with its peak popularity occurring in the mid-1990s. Today, it is still carried by many individuals but has become less common, making those who bear this name stand out even more prominently.
The name Markiesha saw a steady increase in popularity from 1976 to 1992, with a significant spike in usage that year (31 births), followed by a gradual decline through the end of the period tracked in 2001.