Declining since 1989.
Popularity of Mechelle since 1947
Babies named Mechelle per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 25 |
| 1950s | 284 |
| 1960s | 1,619 |
| 1970s | 1,353 |
| 1980s | 552 |
| 1990s | 373 |
| 2000s | 134 |
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Mechelle first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1947, adopting the French feminine -elle ending to the classic Michel. The name reached its peak popularity in 1968, when it ranked 1118th, before entering a steady decline beginning in 1989. Since then, usage has fallen each decade, and it has not appeared in the top 1000 since the 1970s. Its trajectory mirrors that of the more standard spelling Michelle, which also saw peak use in the 1960s and subsequent decline. Despite its relative rarity today, Mechelle offers a distinctive alternative tied to a specific mid-century American naming style.
Mechelle is a feminine spelling variant of Michel, the French form of Michael. The name Michael derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning 'who is like God?' The variant Mechelle emerged in the United States in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the popularity of other -elle ending names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shelly, Elle, Mickey
Sibling names for Mechelle
Names that share Mechelle's style, for a brother or sister.
