Declining since 1997, #841 for girls today.
Popularity of Michaela since 1921
Babies named Michaela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 17 |
| 1930s | 58 |
| 1940s | 273 |
| 1950s | 640 |
| 1960s | 931 |
| 1970s | 1,455 |
| 1980s | 4,614 |
| 1990s | 23,173 |
| 2000s | 13,086 |
| 2010s | 6,737 |
| 2020s | 2,649 |
Meaning & origin
Michaela is a name that saw its peak popularity in 1997, ranking 841st in 2025 with a frequency of 1 in 4,976 births. Its trajectory has been falling since 1997, reflecting a shift from peak usage in the 1990s. The name was first recorded in the U.S. in 1921 and has seen notable use in states such as New Jersey, Arkansas, and New York. Michaela remains a familiar choice, though less common than its peak years.
Michaela is the feminine form of Michael, derived from the Hebrew phrase 'Mikha'el' meaning 'who is like God?' This rhetorical question implies that no one is like God. The name has been used in various forms across Europe since the Middle Ages, though Michaela became more common in English-speaking countries in the 20th century.
Where Michaela is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Michaela” around the world
Where Michaela lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
15
babies in 2025
Quebec
7
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mickey, Miki, Kay, Kaye
Sibling names for Michaela
Names that share Michaela's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Michaela
Names whose popularity has moved with Michaela's over the last 50 years.
