Alisha is a variant of the name Alicia, which itself is derived from the Old English name Æthelhādas or Æðelhādas, meaning 'noble' or 'nobility'. The name also has roots in Sanskrit (अलीशा Alīśā) and Arabic (علیشا أليشا Alīshā), where it is interpreted as 'protected by God'. This dual origin reflects a blend of cultural influences, with the 'protected by God' meaning likely incorporated into Spanish during Muslim rule. Variant forms of the name include Alesha, Alysha, and Allysha.