What Is the Meaning of the Name Michael?

Learn more about the origin, popularity, and meaning of the name Michael.

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

Are you searching for a classic, refined name for your baby boy? Michael is a strong option to consider.

Michael was first derived from the name Mikha’el, meaning “who is like God?” in Hebrew. This rhetorical question was posed to reiterate the belief that no person was fully like God.

In Hebrew tradition, Michael was one of the archangels. Michael is listed as the only archangel (the highest form of the angels) in the Bible, where he appears in the Old Testament’s Book of Daniel as a protector of Israel.

The archangel Michael is also considered a saint in the Catholic Church and is said to have led the battle against Lucifer when he rebelled against God.

The saint’s popularity brought the name Michael to prominence centuries ago. Michael has been commonly used in Western Europe since the Middle Ages and in England since the 12th century.

• Origin: The name Michael is of Hebrew origin and means “who is like God?” or “gift from God.” It is found in the Old Testament, notably in the Book of Daniel.

• Gender: Michael is historically the masculine form of the name. Feminine variations, such as Michelle, Michaela, or Mila, are common.

• Pronunciation: mye-kehl
  

Editor's Note

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Parents believes and acknowledges that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Michael?

The name Michael was commonly used for emperors, kings, and saints. Michael is an ever-popular name that has consistently ranked in the top 100 for boys over the past century.

Michael enjoyed an unprecedented run in popularity in the US from 1954 to 2008, often ranking in the first or second spot. The name stayed in the top 10 until 2017 when it ranked 12. In 2022, Michael ranked as the 16th most popular name for boys in America.

While the name is sometimes used for baby girls, it does not rank in the 1,000 most frequently used names for girls.

Name Variations

As it is a biblical name, Michael has an equivalent in virtually every known language. These variations include:

• Michel (French)

• Mikhail (Greek, Russian)

• Mihály (Hungarian)

• Mícheál (Gaelic)

• Michele (Italian)

• Michal (Polish)

• Miguel (Portuguese, Spanish)

• Mihail (Romanian)

• Michiel (Dutch)

• Mikel (Swedish)

• Mihangel (Welsh)

• Mícheál (Irish)

• Miguel (Portuguese)

• Mikkel (Danish, Norweigian)

• Micheil (Gaelic)

Similar Names

Michael is a name with strong roots in religious scripture. Here are other boy names from the Old Testament:

• Aaron

• Abraham

• Benjamin

• Daniel

• Elijah

• Ezra

• Jonathan

• Joshua

• Noah

• Samuel

Other boy names starting with M include:

• Malachi

• Marcus

• Mark

• Mario

• Mason

• Matthew

• Maverick

• Maxwell/Max

• Micah

• Miles

• Mitchell

• Morgan

Related: 35 Baby Names That Start With the Letter "M"

Common Nicknames for Michael

Common nicknames for Michael include:

• Mike: Suggests a robust and athletic persona, such as boxer Mike Tyson or American television personality Mike Rowe. This shorthand version of Michael dates back to the 1800s and is a commonly used nickname for Michael.  

• Mikey: A lesser-used nickname with a more playful undertone. Many boys who are called Mikey will grow into the nickname Mike as they get older. This nickname was made popular in the 1970s when actor John Gilchrist played a young boy named Mikey in the Life cereal commercials. The beloved advertisements spawned the catchphrase, “Mikey Likes It.”

Suggested Sibling Names

• Benjamin

• Gabriel

• Matthew

• Thomas

• William

• Amelia

• Charlotte

• Emma

• Grace

• Lily

Famous People Named Michael

Notable Michaels in the US, like preacher Michael Blackwell and philanthropist Michael Drescher, represent the biblical Michael’s commitment to duty and leadership. The name Michael is also associated with distinguished American politicians such as Michael Dukakis, Michael Patrick Flanagan, and Michael Pence.

Famous Michaels

• Michael Bublé, Canadian singer

• Michael J. Fox, Canadian-American actor

• Michael Jordan, retired NBA basketball player

• Michael Kors, American fashion designer

• Michael Palin, British comedian

• Michael Phelps, retired American Olympic swimmer

Famous Mikes

• Mike Ditka, retired NFL player, coach, and commentator

• Mike Meyers, Canadian actor

• Mike Oliver, British sociologist and disability advocate

• Mike Piazza, retired American baseball player

• Mike Tyson, retired American boxer

Famous Mikeys

• Mikey Ambrose, retired American soccer player

• Mikey Boyle, Irish hurler

• Mikey Chung, Jamaican musician and record producer

• Mikey Craig, English musician

• Mikey Robins, Australian media personality, comedian, and writer

• Mikey Walsh, British writer and LGBTQ+ activist

Fictional Michaels, Mikes, & Mikeys

• Michael Meyers, Halloween

• Michael Scott, The Office

• Mike Seaver, Growing Pains

• Mike Wheeler, Stranger Things

• Little Mikey, Life cereal commercials

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:

• Top 1,000 Baby Boy Names

• 45 Gender-Neutral Baby Names

• 275 Popular Baby Names for Twins
  

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Read the original article on Parents.