Mostly boys · Hebrew

Michael

“who is like God?”

Say it MY-kulPronunciation may vary by region.

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A little maybe, saved for later.

The story behind the name

Meet Michael.

Michael comes from Hebrew Mikha'el and means who is like God? The meaning is phrased as a rhetorical question. Its religious association is the archangel Michael, rather than a claim about the person who bears the name.

Michael has a long history across several naming traditions. For families choosing it as an honor name, the familiar full form can carry the connection even when a different everyday nickname is preferred.

A little perspective

How popular is Michael?

United States · 2025
Girls · 2025#8,18813 recorded births
Boys · 2025#218,094 recorded births

Recorded US births over time

2014202515,5050
● Girls● Boys
View the numbers behind the chart
YearCategoryUS rankBirths
2025Boys218,094
2025Girls8,18813
2024Boys188,229
2024Girls7,14916
2023Boys168,430
2023Girls6,09920
2022Boys168,895
2022Girls6,38919
2021Boys179,150
2021Girls4,92027
2020Boys129,833
2020Girls5,27224
2019Boys1410,619
2019Girls4,31533
2018Boys1411,756
2018Girls6,17020
2017Boys1212,726
2017Girls4,28434
2016Boys814,145
2016Girls4,32334
2015Boys914,504
2015Girls4,12036
2014Boys715,505
2014Girls4,23535

Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.

A few ways to make it theirs.

Nicknames

MikeMikey

Variations & related forms

MiguelMikhailMichel

Keep the possibilities coming

If you love Michael…

More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.