Boy · 99th of 24,088
Miguel
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
189,879
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2007
Peak Popularity Year
4,914
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Miguel 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
Miguel originates from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning 'Who is like God?'. It evolved through various forms in Latin and Old French before becoming popular in Spanish. The name carries traits of kindness and strength, with biblical relevance through the archangel Michael.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/miˈɡɛl/
Origin
Spanish
Etymology
Miguel is derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, which means 'Who is like God?'. It is the Spanish form of the name Michael.
Meaning
Who is like God?
Language Evolution
Mikha'el (Hebrew), Michael (Latin), Mikael (Old French), Miguel (Spanish)
Biblical Background
Miguel is the Spanish version of Michael, who is an archangel in the Bible, often considered a protector and leader of the heavenly armies.
Historical Usage
The name Miguel has been used in Spain and Latin America since the Medieval period and gained popularity through the veneration of Saint Michael.
Variants & Derivatives
Mikael, Michael, Miguelito
Modern Popularity & Image
Miguel is a widely recognized and popular name in Spanish-speaking countries, often associated with kindness and strength.
Famous People
Miguel de Cervantes, Miguel Ángel (Michelangelo), Miguel Cabrera
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
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
Highly Popular name with 4,914 peak births in 2007
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 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 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 506th of 7545 | 2,327 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 438th of 6773 | 3,302 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 296th of 7552 | 11,818 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 177th of 10718 | 23,925 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 102nd of 16616 | 51,697 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 99th of 24088 | 68,363 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 170th of 23106 | 27,230 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 8598th of 9107 | 6 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 9204th of 9204 | 5 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6090th of 12526 | 73 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3947th of 19264 | 250 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3444th of 27321 | 466 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 9339th of 35406 | 175 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 21282nd of 30306 | 21 |