Misha

Misha began as a Russian affectionate form of Mikhail, the Russian equivalent of Michael. The underlying Hebrew name asks “Who is like God?” It is traditionally a rhetorical question expressing God’s uniqueness, rather than a statement that the person carrying the name resembles God.

Ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov is a familiar example of the relationship between the formal Mikhail and everyday Misha. In English-speaking contexts, Misha and Mischa have also been used as complete names for both boys and girls, with actress Mischa Barton contributing a recognizable feminine association. Those later uses broaden the name’s audience without changing its Russian diminutive history. A family may choose Misha independently or use it as the affectionate form of a longer Michael-family name.