MallowbyNames

Micah

MY-kuh · A Hebrew name meaning 'who is like Yahweh?', a rhetorical question expecting the answer 'no one.'

2025 rank (boys)
#90
Babies named in 2025
3,817
Peak popularity
2023
2025 frequency
1 in 447 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Rising since 1990

Rising since 1990, #90 for boys today.

Popularity of Micah since 1946

Babies named Micah per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1.3k2.6k4k1960198020002020Most births 2022GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1940s027
1950s40238
1960s1331,134
1970s7926,979
1980s1,71611,031
1990s3,21313,754
2000s3,64027,018
2010s2,91436,739
2020s1,58722,651

Meaning & origin

For a name attached to an eighth-century BCE prophet, Micah is a surprisingly recent arrival: American records first show it in 1946, and its real ascent only began in 1990. It has climbed almost without interruption since, hitting a peak in 2023 and ranking 90th in 2025, when about one in every 447 newborn boys received it, a favorite of parents who want Michael's meaning without Michael's ubiquity.

Its geography is unusual. Micah's strongest states are Hawaii, Alaska, and South Dakota, far from the coastal metros that drive most naming trends, suggesting grassroots and often faith-rooted adoption. Stylistically it travels with the gentle Old Testament cohort, Josiah, Asher, Ezra, Jonah, names that read warm and soft-spoken rather than patriarchal.

Micah is a contracted form of the Hebrew Mikhayahu, 'who is like Yahweh?', the same rhetorical question that underlies Michael ('who is like God?'). Its chief bearer is the prophet Micah of Moresheth, an eighth-century BCE contemporary of Isaiah whose short book contains the famous charge to 'do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.' The Puritans used the name sparingly, but its American career is strikingly modern: it first appears in Social Security data in 1946, and its rise since 1990 tracks the search for softer, less ubiquitous alternatives to Michael. Its best year so far is 2023.

Read more: Micah on Wikipedia

Where Micah is most popular

Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k boystoo few births

Micah” around the world

Where Micah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    10

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    7

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #67

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    14

    babies in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #97

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Mike, Mick

Variants: Micaiah, Mica, Mikah, Myka

Famous people named Micah

  • Micah · eighth-century BCE Hebrew prophet, namesake of the Book of Micah
  • Micah Parsons · American football linebacker and multiple Pro Bowl selection

Sibling names for Micah

Names that share Micah's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Naomi, Selah, Eden, Abigail, Hannah, Aria, Delilah, Eliana, Maya, Ariella, Genesis, Shiloh, Talia, Alaya, Alayah, Aleah, Alesha, Aliza, Anaiah, Aniah, Aviva, Azaria, Deja, Deliah, Dorcas, Eliora, Endia, Hosanna, Iyanna, Jamya, Jaziyah, Kaliyah, Kesha, Leora, Makiyah, Maliah, Markie, Meda, Naisha, Promise, Rhema, Salome, Sarai, Taliyah, Zamya, Aleigha, Amariah, Amerie, Amiracle, Anaiya, Angelic, Anylah, Ariela, Azariyah, Aziyah, Devora, Eliyanah, Elizah, Jariah, Kalayah, Kamiah, Keziah, Kiarah, Kiyah, Layah, Makaela, Makiah, Makiya, Malayna, Marah, Miriah, Myka, Nahomi, Nayomi, Nazareth, Neomi, Neriah, Neta, Nyomi, Saray, Shekinah, Shifra, Tabetha, Talya, Ziva, Aariah, Abra, Adaiah, Adama, Ahmya, Alayiah, Aleaha, Alleah, Amaiah, Amaiyah, Anah, Aniyla, Ariell, Ariona, Aryel, Atarah, Athaliah, Aveyah, Bethlehem, Camiya, Dalylah, Danie, Deajah, Deniya, Ehlani, Elanna, Elayah, Eliani, Epiphany, Galilee, Genisis, Havilah, Iasia, Jaelle, Jaliah, Jamea, Janaiya, Janyia, Jazaria, Jeniah, Kaaliyah, Kaleyah, Kamyah, Kamyia, Kasiah, Kaziah, Keylani, Khaleah, Kiyanna, Korah, Lamaria, Madai, Makeyla, Malarie, Malissia, Marnee, Meliah, Meliyah, Meloni, Meriah, Mesha, Miasia, Micole, Mikia, Mikiah, Modesty, Mone, Mykia, Nakiah, Natania, Natanya, Netanya, Oriah, Sarayah, Saryah, Sephora, Seraiah, Seriyah, Shaddai, Shalaya, Shamiah, Shelah, Sianni, Soriah, Tabytha, Timia, Wenonah, Yohanna, Zamara, Zamaria, Zamiya, Zaryah, Zemirah, Zhamira, Zillah, Zoriah, Zuriah, Aariel, Adaliah, Adeya, Adiya, Alayha, Alilah, Alizea, Alyric, Amanii, Amaryah, Ameriah, Anael, Aniaya, Ariellah, Arriel, Avaiah, Avriel, Azarah, Azarie, Azarya, Azriella, Azrielle, Azyah, Braniyah, Briyah, Calayah, Camiah, Dariah, Davita, Dazia, Deijah, Dejia, Delayla, Deliliah, Efrata, Eilany, Eliannah, Emiah, Ericha, Eyanna, Gracious, Hallelujah, Ikia, Ileah, Jabrea, Jaiah, Jaima, Jakyah, Jaleia, Jameca, Jasiya, Jasmarie, Jayelle, Jermia, Jermya, Jirah, Jiyah, Joniyah, Joselle, Kacia, Kahlea, Kairah, Kalaysia, Kaleiah, Kamela, Katalea, Katurah, Kayona, Kelaiah, Kelilah, Keliyah, Keniah, Keniyah, Kyliah, Lamyia, Laniah, Leiyah, Lenae, Lenaya, Libni, Lydiah, Lyniah, Madisun, Makaiah, Makayah, Malahni, Maleaha, Malkia, Malyah, Mao, Marae, Marili, Masiyah, Maybree, Maziah, Meleana, Mikea, Mikiya, Mikya, Mikyah, Miyonna, Moriyah, Myca, Mykiah, Myrissa, Naarah, Namaari, Nasiya, Navah, Naviah, Niaomi, Nijah, Noriah, Nyliah, Onica, Oriyah, Peniel, Ruah, Saleah, Samani, Samariah, Sefora, Semaja, Seriah, Sharai, Sharaya, Shiah, Siarah, Sierah, Simaya, Tabria, Taleyah, Tashira, Temima, Teniya, Teyah, Timya, Tirza, Tovah, Zailah, Zamyah, Zarayah, Zarielle, Zeriah, Zionna, Zivah, Zykira, Adiah, Amiree, Anaijah, Hadessah, Janiaya, Keliah, Laryah, Mekia, Mekiah, Nyriah, Samarie, Shekina, Teniyah, Toshua, Zabdi, Zaliah, Zurielle, Abiah, Acsa, Ahnika, Airiel, Akaysha, Akiah, Alazae, Ameah, Ameka, Amijah, Amilyah, Amyriah, Analeyah, Anayia, Aniqua, Ariyel, Ashaya, Asherah, Ashyra, Atalia, Auriah, Ayriel, Azylah, Cariah, Ceniyah, Chamya, Cyriah, Danayah, Demaya, Deziah, Elajah, Emunah, Emyah, Enijah, Ephrata, Etana, Havah, Hilinai, Iasha, Ilisha, Ishia, Iyahna, Iyanni, Jaanai, Jalaiah, Jalayiah, Jamora, Janasha, Jaryah, Jehieli, Jermiya, Johnasia, Johonna, Joleah, Joliyah, Joniah, Judaea, Julani, Kabria, Kadia, Kaiyana, Kalaiya, Kaleeyah, Kalyiah, Kataya, Kaylahni, Keiyana, Kemara, Kemyah, Kimyah, Kmya, Kymiah, Laira, Larayah, Macaiah, Maday, Mahaila, Mahia, Maidah, Maleiah, Malijah, Malonie, Marcayla, Marijah, Mathea, Matisha, Mauriah, Melaya, Michiah, Mikaia, Mikaiah, Mikayah, Mirely, Mireyah, Monik, Moria, Muriah, Naamah, Naileah, Naleyah, Nesiah, Neyah, Nikala, Nikaya, Nikiah, Niyomi, Nyasiah, Nyonna, Qianna, Reizy, Reniah, Rinnah, Semaya, Seraya, Shaasia, Shaia, Shaliah, Shanoah, Sheera, Shemiah, Shirah, Siniyah, Sophira, Syleena, Tanielle, Tavaria, Teauna, Teleah, Tenea, Tereka, Teriyah, Teva, Timiya, Tirsa, Veora, Yaniyah, Yireh, Zeriyah, Zionah

Brothers: Josiah, Asher, Ezra, Jonah, Levi, Caleb, Isaiah, Adriel, Asa, Cohen, Damian, Elisha, Malachi, Noe, Uriel, Abdiel, Alijah, Amos, Aziel, Canaan, Eleazar, Eliam, Isiah, Izaiah, Izrael, Jair, Jarius, Jasiah, Jedidiah, Jericho, Jireh, Joziah, Kanan, Kohen, Malikai, Yael, Zavier, Zeke, Zion, Adonai, Amen, Amiel, Arik, Asaiah, Aziah, Castiel, Corban, Dathan, Efrem, Elam, Eliah, Ezrah, Hillel, Isaih, Issiah, Izaak, Izayah, Iziah, Jakobi, Jashua, Jeshua, Jesiah, Jethro, Jobe, Jrue, Kobi, Leviticus, Makhi, Malachai, Malaki, Masiah, Micaiah, Nahum, Noam, Nyjah, Obadiah, Oziel, Sampson, Shilo, Yeshua, Yoel, Zackariah, Zakai, Zev, Zuriel, Abijah, Adael, Adon, Amarian, Asaph, Ascher, Asiel, Cassiel, Demetrus, Eliaz, Elyon, Emmanual, Ephram, Esiah, Eziah, Ilijah, Isaah, Isayah, Issaiah, Jaasiel, Jabez, Jakhi, Jediah, Jeremih, Jeric, Jeziel, Joah, Joesiah, Jonael, Joshawa, Joshwa, Josiyah, Josyah, Jusiah, Kalab, Leviathan, Makhai, Malakhai, Malichi, Markee, Mesiah, Million, Mishael, Nahom, Namon, Nasiah, Psalm, Tobiah, Uriyah, Yareth, Yona, Yonah, Yosiah, Zaccai, Zadok, Zakariah, Zedekiah, Zekiah, Zephan, Abdon, Absalom, Aizik, Allon, Amrom, Arel, Arieon, Azion, Calab, Cannan, Delijah, Demarea, Eligha, Elikai, Elishah, Emmaus, Esaias, Esias, Eyoel, Ezeriah, Faizon, Isiac, Isiaha, Izaiha, Izaya, Izayiah, Jahsai, Jakel, Jakim, Jasai, Jasaiah, Jedaiah, Jehiel, Jeremaih, Jeremiyah, Jerimie, Jesaiah, Joram, Jossiah, Kaleab, Kalief, Kalijah, Lijah, Machael, Machai, Machi, Maciah, Malekai, Markcus, Markez, Mayes, Mekai, Michai, Milam, Nahshon, Nekhi, Osiah, Osias, Samule, Shadrach, Tabias, Tajon, Tekoa, Urias, Urie, Usiel, Yahshua, Yaphet, Yashua, Yuriel, Zeal, Asar, Isaiahs, Izic, Jerimah, Kalyb, Nisaiah, Ahlias, Akiel, Alakay, Alekai, Azahel, Azekiel, Azuriah, Beniah, Bezalel, Dayshaun, Demere, Denahi, Dmauri, Dmir, Edrei, Eliahs, Elijan, Elisah, Elizar, Elizer, Elohim, Elroi, Esaiah, Essiah, Ezael, Gedeon, Hanniel, Isahia, Isaiha, Isaiyah, Izaih, Izreal, Jahaire, Jamicah, Jamiri, Jasyah, Jazhiel, Jazziel, Jebidiah, Jeshurun, Johathon, Josia, Joziel, Joziyah, Juriel, Karmel, Leor, Lewi, Malacai, Malahki, Mareon, Mayjor, Mekel, Merick, Meziah, Micai, Miking, Mizraim, Mycal, Mykale, Nahun, Nazai, Neziah, Noeh, Norrin, Ory, Ruven, Siyon, Ukiah, Yahweh, Yasiah, Yohanan, Yosohn, Zacharius, Zadiel, Zakkai, Zaniel, Zebulan, Zimir, Zyeir, Zyonn

Names like Micah

Names whose popularity has moved with Micah's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

M is for Micah, our favorite little boy.

M is for Micah…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Micah's letter becomes Micah's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Micah's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Micah mean?
Micah means 'who is like Yahweh?', a rhetorical question implying that no one is. It shares its root meaning with Michael.
How popular is Micah?
Micah ranked 90th for boys in 2025, given to about one in every 447 newborn boys. It has been rising since 1990 and reached its best year in 2023.
Is Micah a boy's name or a girl's name?
In the United States Micah is used mostly for boys, though it sees occasional use for girls, sometimes in spellings like Myka.
How is Micah different from Michael?
Both names ask the same Hebrew question, Micah invokes Yahweh, Michael invokes El, 'God.' Micah is the prophet's name and reads as the quieter, more modern-feeling of the two.