Boy · 60th of 7,552
Mike
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
206,369
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1960
Peak Popularity Year
12,065
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Mike 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
Mike is a diminutive of Michael, which comes from the Hebrew name Mikha'el meaning 'Who is like God?'. It evolved through Latin and Greek forms before becoming popular in English. The name is associated with friendly traits and has biblical significance as Michael is an archangel. Mike has gained popularity in the 20th century and has several variants.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/maɪk/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Mike is a diminutive form of Michael, which originates from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning 'Who is like God?'.
Meaning
Who is like God?
Language Evolution
Mikha'el (Hebrew), Michael (Latin/Greek), Mike (English)
Biblical Background
Michael is an archangel in the Hebrew Bible, and the name has significant biblical roots.
Historical Usage
The name Mike gained popularity in the 20th century, becoming widely used as a short form of Michael.
Variants & Derivatives
Michael, Mickey, Mikey
Modern Popularity & Image
Mike is commonly perceived as a friendly and approachable name, often associated with masculinity and reliability.
Famous People
Mike Tyson, Mike Pence, Mike Wazowski
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
Highly Popular name with 12,065 peak births in 1960
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Wyoming
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 149th of 7545 | 16,710 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 131st of 6773 | 24,739 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 60th of 7552 | 118,793 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 147th of 10718 | 31,119 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 512th of 16616 | 5,481 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 691st of 24088 | 4,755 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1050th of 23106 | 2,371 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5533rd of 9107 | 39 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3609th of 9204 | 117 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2931st of 12526 | 299 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4920th of 19264 | 176 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16492nd of 27321 | 31 |