Michael Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Michael originates from Hebrew, meaning 'Who is like God?'. Its language evolution includes forms from Hebrew to Latin, French, and English. Michael is often associated with strength and leadership and has biblical significance as an archangel. The name has remained consistently popular throughout history, particularly in Christian cultures.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Michael"
Pronunciation
/ˈmaɪkəl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Michael comes from the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el), which means 'Who is like God?'. It is a rhetorical question implying that no one is like God.
Meaning
Who is like God?
Language Evolution
Mikha'el (Hebrew), Michahel (Late Latin), Michael (Old French), Michael (English)
Biblical Background
Michael is an archangel mentioned in the Bible, particularly noted in the Book of Daniel, the Epistle of Jude, and the Book of Revelation.
Historical Usage
The name Michael has been popular since the early Middle Ages and has remained widely used in various cultures, especially in Christian contexts due to its biblical significance.
Variants & Derivatives
Mikhail, Mikael, Michele, Mika, Mike
Modern Popularity & Image
Michael is a very popular name in many countries and is often associated with strength, leadership, and protection, largely due to its biblical roots and historical figures.
Famous People
Michael Jordan (basketball player), Michael Jackson (singer), Michael Phelps (swimmer), Michaelangelo (artist), Michael Bolton (singer)
📊 Michael Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Michael Name Visualizations
✨ Michael Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 93,041 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Michael" - Complete Guide (13 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Michael". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 13 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Michael" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Michael"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Michael"
"Michael" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 45th of 7545 | 66,415 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 17th of 6773 | 195,318 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4th of 7552 | 1,464,314 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1st of 10718 | 1,186,586 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1st of 16616 | 949,497 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2nd of 24088 | 409,205 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 12th of 23106 | 139,212 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1736th of 9107 | 399 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 856th of 9204 | 1,297 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 590th of 12526 | 4,689 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 442nd of 19264 | 7,624 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 567th of 27321 | 6,197 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2199th of 35406 | 1,316 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4832nd of 30306 | 336 |
Regional Popularity of "Michael" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
5.37% 76th/1416 |
1.67% 23rd/1379 |
10.23% 242nd/2366 |
10.68% 122nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
1.29% 20th/1546 |
1.03% 16th/1556 |
2.17% 51st/2353 |
0.78% 12th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
0.04% 1st/2227 |
0.12% 3rd/2430 |
0.18% 5th/2853 |
0.04% 1st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
0.03% 1st/2937 |
0.03% 1st/3483 |
0.03% 1st/3518 |
0.02% 1st/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
0.03% 1st/3685 |
0.02% 1st/4475 |
0.04% 2nd/5194 |
0.02% 1st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.04% 2nd/4582 |
0.02% 1st/5164 |
0.04% 3rd/7313 |
0.05% 4th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.40% 16th/3984 |
0.09% 4th/4487 |
0.12% 8th/6822 |
0.27% 17th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Michael" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
59.03% 814th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
49.09% 759th/1546 |
40.55% 631st/1556 |
47.13% 1109th/2353 |
38.85% 601st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
24.83% 553rd/2227 |
23.05% 560th/2430 |
23.20% 662nd/2853 |
22.27% 618th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
14.71% 432nd/2937 |
12.92% 450th/3483 |
11.77% 414th/3518 |
11.57% 468th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
16.01% 590th/3685 |
11.22% 502nd/4475 |
11.13% 578th/5194 |
9.56% 604th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
50.22% 2301st/4582 |
41.01% 2118th/5164 |
29.70% 2172nd/7313 |
34.33% 2562nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
94.54% 4242nd/4487 |
87.73% 5985th/6822 |
100.00% 6276th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Michael"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Michael" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Michael" in the United States
The name Michael is most popular in Rhode Island, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, Michael has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been too rising for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too rising for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too rising for male in South, stalled for female in South, too rising for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Michael' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 45th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 17th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 12th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1736th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 856th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 590th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 442nd out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 567th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2199th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 4832nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Michael' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.