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.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,558 |
| 1890s | 3,926 |
| 1900s | 5,220 |
| 1910s | 30,858 |
| 1920s | 37,893 |
| 1930s | 56,001 |
| 1940s | 336,568 |
| 1950s | 837,471 |
| 1960s | 833,092 |
| 1970s | 707,327 |
| 1980s | 663,807 |
| 1990s | 462,466 |
| 2000s | 250,715 |
| 2010s | 145,220 |
| 2020s | 52,631 |
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.
“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
Famous people named Michael
- Michael Jordan · basketball player widely considered the greatest of all time
- Michael Jackson · singer and pop icon
- Michael Phelps · most-decorated Olympian in history
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.

