Holding steady.
Popularity of Machaela since 1986
Babies named Machaela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 12 |
| 1990s | 208 |
| 2000s | 185 |
| 2010s | 14 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Machaela is a modern feminine spelling variant of Michael, first recorded in the United States in 1986. Its peak usage came in 1997, after which it has maintained a stable but rare presence, never breaching the top 1,000 on the Social Security Administration's list. The name is part of a wave of creative phonetic spellings that emerged in the late 20th century, drawing on the longstanding popularity of Michael-derived feminine forms like Michaela and Makayla. Although no top states were recorded for Machaela, its trajectory suggests it remains a distinctive choice, favored by parents seeking a unique twist on a familiar name.
Machaela is a modern feminine variant of Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'who is like God?'. It emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the popularity of similar-sounding names like Makayla and Michaela, with the 'Mach-' spelling reflecting a distinctive phonetic variation.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Macha, Kay, Kayla, Mickey
Sibling names for Machaela
Names that share Machaela's style, for a brother or sister.
