A 1970s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Michell since 1926
Babies named Michell per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 0 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 33 | 30 |
| 1950s | 316 | 88 |
| 1960s | 1,655 | 126 |
| 1970s | 2,176 | 114 |
| 1980s | 1,080 | 99 |
| 1990s | 691 | 87 |
| 2000s | 788 | 25 |
| 2010s | 208 | 9 |
| 2020s | 48 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Michell is a variant spelling of Michelle, which itself is the French feminine form of Michel. The name Michael, from which it ultimately derives, comes from the Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning 'who is like God?' In the United States, Michell first appeared on the Social Security baby name list in 1946, during a period when French-influenced names like Michelle were gaining popularity. Its peak popularity came in 1973, when it ranked highest among U.S. births. Since then, the name has experienced a long decline, but it has been rising again since 2019, reflecting a revival of 1970s-era names. In recent years, Michell is given to roughly 1 in every 229,610 newborns, a rarity that appeals to parents seeking a familiar yet distinctive alternative to the standard Michelle. The name has not been strongly associated with any particular U.S. state in recent records.
Michell is a variant spelling of Michelle, the feminine form of Michel, the French form of Michael. Michael derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning 'who is like God?' The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 20th century, often as an alternative spelling.
Where Michell 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: Shelly, Micki, Mitch
Sibling names for Michell
Names that share Michell's style, for a brother or sister.
