Declining since 1985, #4,265 for girls today.
Popularity of Michal since 1911
Babies named Michal per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1985, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Michal's real moment was 1942.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 69 |
| 1920s | 0 | 44 |
| 1930s | 10 | 0 |
| 1940s | 379 | 230 |
| 1950s | 325 | 574 |
| 1960s | 281 | 467 |
| 1970s | 517 | 410 |
| 1980s | 685 | 501 |
| 1990s | 653 | 595 |
| 2000s | 519 | 569 |
| 2010s | 434 | 240 |
| 2020s | 228 | 83 |
Meaning & origin
Michal is a name with dual heritage: in Hebrew as a biblical feminine name, and in Czech and Slovak as a masculine form of Michael. First recorded in the U.S. in 1938, it saw its peak popularity in 1942, the same year it ranked highest at rank 4265. Since 1985, its usage has been on a steady decline, reflecting a broader pattern for many classic names in a shifting naming landscape. The name's top states have historically been New Jersey and New York, indicating a concentration among families with Jewish or Central European roots. Despite its rarity today, Michal retains a strong cultural and religious significance.
Michal has two distinct origins. In the Hebrew Bible, Michal (מיכל) is the daughter of Saul and wife of David, though its etymology is uncertain; it may be derived from mī kā'ēl 'who is like God?' or possibly related to a word for 'stream'. As a Czech and Slovak feminine name, Michal is a variant of Michaela, itself the feminine form of Michael, ultimately from Hebrew meaning 'who is like God?'. The name has been used in Jewish contexts for centuries and, in its Slavic forms, gained popularity in Central Europe.
Where Michal 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mickey, Misha, Mika
Variants: Mikhal, Michał
Sibling names for Michal
Names that share Michal's style, for a brother or sister.
