Holding steady.
Popularity of Michiel since 1915
Babies named Michiel per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1956, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Michiel's real moment was 1968.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 12 |
| 1940s | 145 |
| 1950s | 315 |
| 1960s | 261 |
| 1970s | 145 |
| 1980s | 80 |
| 1990s | 46 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Michiel is the Dutch form of Michael, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'Who is like God?' The name first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1915, but it has never been a common choice in the United States, remaining largely within Dutch American families. Its peak popularity occurred in 1968, when it reached its highest rank (though still outside the top 1000). Since then, interest has remained steady, with a stable trajectory through 2025. While no specific top states are recorded for the name, its usage is likely concentrated in areas with Dutch heritage, such as Michigan and Iowa. The name carries a strong religious and cultural resonance, particularly in the Netherlands, where it has been in use since medieval times.
Michiel is the Dutch form of Michael, which derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל), meaning 'Who is like God?' This rhetorical question emphasizes the incomparability of God. The name has been borne by the archangel Michael in Abrahamic traditions and was popularized throughout Christian Europe. In the Netherlands, Michiel has been in use since the Middle Ages, though it never reached the extreme popularity of its English counterpart Michael. It saw a peak in the 1960s and has remained in steady, modest use since.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Micha
Sibling names for Michiel
Names that share Michiel's style, for a brother or sister.
