MallowbyNames

Michael

MY-kul · From the Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning "Who is like God?"

2025 rank (boys)
#21
Babies named in 2025
8,094
Peak popularity
1969
2025 frequency
1 in 211 boys
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Declining since 1985

Declining since 1985, #21 for boys today.

Popularity of Michael since 1880

Babies named Michael per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Michael's real moment was 1969.

30.9k61.9k92.8k1880192019602000Most births 1957Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1880s3,558
1890s3,926
1900s5,220
1910s30,858
1920s37,893
1930s56,001
1940s336,568
1950s837,471
1960s833,092
1970s707,327
1980s663,807
1990s462,466
2000s250,715
2010s145,220
2020s52,631

Meaning & origin

For most of the postwar twentieth century, Michael was simply what American boys were named. It held the number-one spot almost every year from 1954 through 1998, and its share of births crested in 1969, when a substantial slice of all American boys received the name. Few names in the federal record have ever dominated so thoroughly for so long.

The long descent began around 1985 and has continued ever since, but "decline" is relative: in 2025 Michael still ranked 21st, given to roughly 1 in 211 newborn boys. That is what falling from total dominance looks like, a name that has slipped from ubiquitous to merely common, still ahead of nearly every newcomer on the charts.

Its geography says as much: Michael shows no strong regional skew, with its top states: Wyoming, Alaska, and Rhode Island, scattered across the map. A name borne by archangels, emperors, and several generations of American fathers, it now reads less like a trend and more like infrastructure.

Michael derives from the Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning "Who is like God?", the implied answer being no one. In the Hebrew Bible and later Christian tradition it is the name of the archangel Michael, leader of the heavenly armies, and the spread of his cult carried the name across medieval Europe. It was borne by nine Byzantine emperors as well as rulers of Poland, Romania, and Russia, and has been in continuous English use since the Middle Ages. In the United States it became the defining boys' name of the postwar era, holding the number-one spot almost every year from 1954 through 1998.

Read more: Michael on Wikipedia

Where Michael 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

Michael” around the world

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

  • France

    50

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    #22

    in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #68

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    #100

    in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #62

    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, Mikey, Mick

Variants: Micheal, Mikael, Mikhail, Miguel, Michel, Michele

Famous people named Michael

Sibling names for Michael

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

Sisters: Elizabeth, Katherine, Sarah, Laura, Julia, Alisha, Alison, Andrea, Angela, Angelia, Ariel, Bernadette, Bridgette, Cathy, Christie, Christina, Christine, Christy, Cynthia, Danielle, Debbie, Deborah, Dianna, Dianne, Doreen, Hillary, Jacquelyn, Janelle, Jenifer, Joann, Jodi, Katrina, Kristine, Laurie, Linda, Lisa, Lori, Lynda, Marcia, Maria, Mariah, Marsha, Maureen, Melinda, Melissa, Michele, Michelle, Nichole, Nicole, Patricia, Paula, Robin, Sara, Sheila, Sherri, Stacey, Stephanie, Teresa, Theresa, Toni, Tonya, Valerie, Alishia, Angely, Annamarie, Annemarie, Barbra, Carolynn, Chantel, Christin, Cindi, Cinthia, Coleen, Danita, Danyelle, Deann, Diann, Felecia, Jackeline, Jacklyn, Jaclyn, Jami, Jeanna, Jenni, Jennyfer, Jessika, Jodie, Joellen, Julieann, Kathi, Kathie, Katina, Kimberlee, Kristie, Kristyn, Leisa, Lesa, Lesli, Lisamarie, Lizabeth, Lora, Malissa, Maribeth, Maryanne, Marybeth, Maryellen, Maura, Melisa, Mellissa, Michell, Milissa, Noreen, Pamala, Patrica, Rachelle, Rashell, Renita, Richelle, Rosanne, Roseanne, Shaina, Shelia, Sondra, Stefanie, Steffany, Stephani, Stephenie, Suzan, Tamela, Tonia, Traci, Yessenia, Aleshia, Angelena, Angella, Anglea, Annmarie, Bethann, Brittanie, Cassondra, Charmayne, Cherilyn, Christianne, Colene, Cristine, Dannette, Dannielle, Danyell, Debbra, Debera, Debrah, Deedra, Francene, Gabriell, Geralyn, Ileen, Jacalyn, Jackelyn, Jacki, Jackqueline, Jacquelyne, Jacquelynn, Jacqulyn, Janee, Janeth, Jeniffer, Jennell, Jenniffer, Jerica, Jesika, Jessyca, Johnetta, Julee, Karren, Kathaleen, Kathey, Kathlene, Kemberly, Krissy, Leighann, Loriann, Macayla, Madysen, Malisa, Marykate, Marylyn, Marylynn, Mechelle, Mellisa, Melony, Melynda, Michaele, Michaella, Michala, Micki, Mindi, Nichol, Nicholle, Nickole, Sheilah, Sherilyn, Shiela, Steffanie, Stephaine, Stephannie, Stephine, Suanne, Sueann, Susann, Synthia, Tereasa, Tiffaney, Toniann, Vannessa, Abbygale, Ahsley, Angelea, Angelis, Angell, Angellica, Anjeanette, Anjela, Anmarie, Annalicia, Anndrea, Britanny, Brittiany, Brittini, Brittiny, Carianne, Carolanne, Casondra, Cathlene, Cherylann, Chrissie, Christle, Christyna, Chrystina, Collene, Cyndie, Cynitha, Cythia, Daneille, Danille, Dawnielle, Deeanne, Donnamarie, Doreene, Eileene, Elizabethann, Estephany, Gabrianna, Gennifer, Gerianne, Ginamarie, Graceann, Ileene, Jacilyn, Jacqlyn, Janalee, Janielle, Jannifer, Jenel, Jennafer, Jennifier, Jennipher, Jesslynn, Jessyka, Joani, Johnae, Johnelle, Kassondra, Katerin, Katheleen, Kathleene, Kathren, Kathyleen, Kelleen, Khristina, Khristine, Kimberle, Kimberlyann, Kimberlynn, Kimerly, Kristee, Kristene, Kristyne, Krysti, Krystine, Laurieann, Lisaann, Lizmarie, Lorra, Lynnda, Machaela, Machell, Marcee, Marilin, Marlissa, Martika, Marycatherine, Maryclaire, Maryfrances, Marykathryn, Marykay, Mechell, Mehgan, Melenie, Mellanie, Meloney, Miangel, Michae, Michaelyn, Mikaella, Mikhaila, Milinda, Mischelle, Mishelle, Mitchelle, Mylinda, Mylissa, Nacole, Nikkole, Nycole, Patrecia, Patrisha, Raechelle, Rashel, Rechelle, Richele, Rosary, Sallyann, Samanatha, Sarahann, Saralynn, Sharone, Sheilia, Sheilla, Shelagh, Sheliah, Shelisa, Shiree, Sintia, Steffani, Stepahnie, Stepanie, Stephaney, Stepheny, Stephnie, Stevee, Sueanne, Suzzanne, Terriann, Terrilyn, Tifani, Tifanie, Tifany, Tiffiany, Tiffiney, Tinamarie, Tresea, Abryanna, Alyssamarie, Amamda, Amanada, Amye, Amylynn, Angelik, Angellina, Angelmarie, Ashleymarie, Bellamarie, Calleen, Cariann, Carrianne, Carrieanne, Cathaleen, Cathryne, Catrena, Cheril, Cherylynn, Chirstina, Chistina, Chrisandra, Chrisanne, Christyne, Chrystie, Cola, Crystin, Cynithia, Dangela, Danyele, Debara, Debbe, Deborra, Debraann, Debralee, Deeana, Dejuana, Denielle, Ennifer, Esthefany, Gabbrielle, Gessica, Gracemarie, Hillari, Ileane, Jackquelyn, Jacqualine, Janele, Janifer, Jeaninne, Jenefer, Jenipher, Jennalee, Jennamarie, Jenniefer, Jennier, Jennife, Jerika, Jerricka, Jesscia, Jessicca, Joeleen, Joletta, Jomarie, Kaity, Karolynn, Kathalene, Kathelyn, Katherleen, Kathline, Kathrin, Kathye, Katricia, Kaylamarie, Kellye, Kellyjo, Khristy, Kimbely, Krisann, Krisanne, Krystelle, Lauraann, Laurann, Leslieann, Lorianne, Lynann, Lynnmarie, Machele, Malloree, Margaretann, Marikay, Maryclare, Maryfer, Maryrose, Mashell, Mckaylah, Meganne, Melanye, Melissaann, Michaelann, Michaeleen, Michaelene, Michalle, Mikalyn, Millisa, Miquela, Mirinda, Mishell, Moreen, Mychelle, Patrici, Patriciaann, Raneisha, Raquell, Robbyn, Robynne, Roschelle, Rozalynn, Rozanna, Saraann, Sharlette, Shena, Sherrilynn, Staphanie, Stefanee, Stehanie, Stephanny, Stephene, Stephenia, Susen, Teffany, Terasa, Teresea, Theresea, Tonimarie, Allecia, Bernedette, Briggette, Cherae, Correen, Cynthya, Deetra, Jeanee, Jenafer, Ninamarie, Nocole, Stepfanie, Stephanye, Thresea, Ahrianna, Amandalee, Andreal, Angelamarie, Angeliah, Annjanette, Bridgitt, Bridie, Brigetta, Brittanyann, Carolan, Caroly, Carriann, Cathyann, Cheralyn, Chirstine, Chrishana, Christeena, Christiann, Christyl, Colleene, Crystalann, Cyntha, Cythnia, Danialle, Danyle, Danylle, Debar, Debbrah, Deborahann, Gabrille, Hollyanne, Jacalynn, Jackelynn, Jaclyne, Jacqulynn, Janeann, Jassica, Jeananne, Jeanifer, Jeffifer, Jennfer, Jennfier, Jenniferann, Jenniferlynn, Jennifr, Jennylee, Jeriann, Jerianne, Jessic, Jessicalynn, Jessicamarie, Jillann, Jilleen, Jillisa, Joanmarie, Jyssica, Karenann, Kateline, Kathee, Kathelene, Kathleena, Kathyann, Katianne, Kelsha, Kimberla, Kimmarie, Kinberly, Krisi, Kristeena, Kristiann, Krystale, Latanja, Laurajean, Laurali, Lichelle, Lizann, Lizmary, Lorann, Loribeth, Lynnel, Makaelah, Mallissa, Marigrace, Maripat, Marisue, Marsheila, Marybella, Marypat, Mashelle, Megean, Melesa, Melisia, Melisssa, Melizza, Mellonie, Michaelia, Michaelina, Mickelle, Mikailah, Mikhala, Millissa, Mischele, Mischell, Nichoel, Nicholl, Nicolemarie, Nikkol, Noreene, Norinne, Pamelyn, Particia, Pattiann, Raschelle, Rhondalyn, Richel, Richell, Ritamarie, Sandar, Sarahlynn, Shanin, Sharmel, Sharnee, Shaunette, Shelie, Sheritha, Sherriann, Sholanda, Stephaie, Stephanine, Stepheni, Stephonie, Stpehanie, Tearsa, Tehillah, Terilynn, Terryann, Therasa, Therisa, Thersea, Tiamarie, Timica, Tonianne, Toniya, Tyffani, Winta, Yessika

Brothers: David, Christopher, Matthew, Daniel, Andrew, Anthony, Joseph, Brian, Dominick, Doug, Dwight, Emanuel, Jeffery, Jon, Kenneth, Kevin, Kristopher, Matt, Mitchell, Paul, Raphael, Rick, Stephan, Steven, Timothy, Tony, Dian, Domenick, Dov, Gabrial, Jeffry, Joesph, Johathan, Johnpaul, Josef, Aundra, Christain, Christan, Daneil, Jefferey, Jerad, Jhon, Joeseph, Jonpaul, Marcanthony, Markanthony, Rapheal, Stefon, Yonatan, Angelus, Aniel, Anthany, Anthoni, Charbel, Chirstopher, Chrishawn, Chriss, Christapher, Christipher, Christohper, Christoph, Christophr, Constantinos, Daivd, Demichael, Domnick, Elazar, Emanual, Gaberial, Gaberiel, Haniel, Jeffory, Jeffrie, Jefrey, Jhony, Johnn, Johnthan, Jonn, Jonthan, Magdiel, Makell, Nichalos, Nickalus, Stephone, Yianni, Abenezer, Angelgabriel, Anothony, Antion, Atthew, Azariel, Azreal, Chistian, Christoher, Chritopher, Danile, Gabreal, Gabreil, Jeffre, Joangel, Joeanthony, Johncarlo, Johnel, Johnnathan, Kirubel, Machael, Markey, Matheu, Mechel, Mithcell, Nichalas, Nickalaus, Nicklos, Ricke, Alecxander, Anthonyjames, Christifer, Christorpher, Chrsitopher, Jakeob, Abrham, Anguel, Anthonny, Bishoy, Chrisotpher, Christophere, Christopherjame, Dabid, Dannel, Danyl, Darryel, Emmanuell, Issaih, Jaqwon, Jefferie, Johnchristopher, Johnothan, Johnrobert, Johnryan, Jonanthony, Jonh, Jonluke, Joshus, Jusitn, Khael, Paulanthony, Ramiel, Raphel, Sariel, Zacharee

Names like Michael

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

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

M is for Michael, our favorite little boy.

M is for Michael…”

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

Make Michael's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does Michael mean?
Michael comes from the Hebrew Mikha'el, a rhetorical question meaning "Who is like God?" It is the name of the archangel Michael in the Bible.
How popular is Michael?
Michael ranked 21st for boys in 2025, given to about 1 in 211 boys. It has been slowly declining since 1985, after a share-of-births peak in 1969 and decades near the very top of the charts.
What are common nicknames for Michael?
Mike is the classic short form, with Mikey common in childhood and Mick heard mostly in British and Irish use.
Is Michael ever used for girls?
Overwhelmingly a boys' name, Michael did appear on the girls' chart in small numbers in the mid-20th century, but girl usage has always been a tiny fraction of the total.
What names go well with Michael for siblings?
Classics of similar standing work best: Elizabeth, Katherine, or Sarah for a sister; David, Matthew, or Daniel for a brother.