Declining since 1997, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Michela since 1911
Babies named Michela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 40 |
| 1950s | 67 |
| 1960s | 94 |
| 1970s | 164 |
| 1980s | 333 |
| 1990s | 722 |
| 2000s | 468 |
| 2010s | 225 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Michela, the Italian feminine form of Michael, has seen modest use in the United States since first being recorded in 1911. Its most popular year was 1998, when it reached its highest rank. Since 1997, its usage has been declining, reflecting a broader trend away from Michaela-style names after their peak in the late 1990s. As of 2025, Michela ranks 10,917, with approximately 1 in 200,908 newborns receiving the name. The name has not been concentrated in any particular state, suggesting even but infrequent use across the country. While never common, Michela retains a distinctly Italian charm that appeals to families with heritage ties or a love for melodic, four-syllable names.
Michela is the Italian feminine form of Michael, which derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל) meaning 'Who is like God?' It has been used in Italy since the Middle Ages, with occasional use in English-speaking countries as an alternative to Michaela.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mica, Mikki, Ela
Sibling names for Michela
Names that share Michela's style, for a brother or sister.
