Boy · 981st of 16,616
Michel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
14,061
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
325
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Michel stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Michel is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'who is like God?' It evolved through various languages, including Hebrew and French. The name is associated with strong traits, especially in leadership, and has a significant biblical relevance through the archangel Michael.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/miːˈʃɛl/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Michel is derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, which means 'who is like God?' It is a theophoric name that expresses a deep faith and reverence for the divine.
Meaning
who is like God
Language Evolution
Mikha'el (Hebrew), Michahel (Late Latin), Michael (Old French), Michel (French)
Historical Usage
The name Michel became popular in France during the Middle Ages, especially due to the veneration of Saint Michael, the archangel.
Variants & Derivatives
Michael, Michele, Mikael, Mikhail
Modern Popularity & Image
Michel is a well-recognized name in many cultures, often associated with strength and leadership due to its biblical roots and historical significance.
Famous People
Michelangelo, Michel Foucault, Michel de Montaigne
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 325 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 37 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 17 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
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
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1362nd of 7545 | 454 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1099th of 6773 | 679 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 515th of 7552 | 4,031 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 674th of 10718 | 2,380 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 981st of 16616 | 1,669 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2116th of 24088 | 924 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3812th of 23106 | 338 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 4170th of 9204 | 85 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1673rd of 12526 | 752 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1502nd of 19264 | 1,086 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2464th of 27321 | 751 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3200th of 35406 | 775 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11357th of 30306 | 96 |