Michael
English · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Michael
Michael derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, composed of the elements "mi" (who), "ka" (like), and "el" (God), literally meaning "who is like God?" The name is prominent in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, where Michael is venerated as a powerful archangel; it became widespread throughout European and Western cultures during the Christian medieval period and remains one of the most common given names globally.
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Etymology
Michael derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, composed of the elements "mi" (who), "ka" (like), and "el" (God), literally meaning "who is like God?" The name is prominent in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, where Michael is venerated as a powerful archangel; it became widespread throughout European and Western cultures during the Christian medieval period and remains one of the most common given names globally.
Michael currently ranks #21 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1957.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
English, German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Czech, Hebrew, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblica names that sit beautifully beside MichaelSimilar names you might like
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Names that sound like Michael
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Mikael means "Who is like God?" and derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), combining the elements "mi" (who), "ka"…"
"Miguel means "who is like God" and derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, composed of the elements "mi" (who), "ka"…"
"Mikuláš means "victory of the people" and derives from the Greek name Nikolaos (Νικόλαος), composed of "nike" (victory) and "laos"…"
"Michal derives from the Hebrew name מִיכָאל (Mikha'el), meaning "Who is like God?" combining the elements "mi" (who), "ka" (like),…"
"Mikhail is the Russian form of Michael, derived from Hebrew "Mikha'el", meaning "who is like God?""
"Mikkel is a Scandinavian form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning "Who is like God?" through the…"
"Michaela is the feminine form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), meaning "Who is like God?" combining…"
"Michelle is the feminine form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning "who is like God" or "who…"
"Mikaela is a feminine form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning "who is like God" (from the…"
"Micael is a variant spelling of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), meaning "Who is like God?" combining…"
"Micheal is a variant spelling of Michael, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), meaning "Who is like God?" combining…"
"Michel derives from the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "Who is like God?" through the root elements "Mi" (who), "El" (God),…"