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 experienced significant popularity fluctuations over time, with peaks in recent decades and a notable decline since the early 2000s.