Declining since 2000, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Mykal since 1972
Babies named Mykal per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 | 12 |
| 1980s | 46 | 109 |
| 1990s | 145 | 412 |
| 2000s | 115 | 395 |
| 2010s | 21 | 179 |
| 2020s | 0 | 68 |
Meaning & origin
Mykal entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1972, a respelling of the classic Michael that rode the wave of creative surname-first-name adaptations. Its peak year was 2001, when it achieved its highest popularity, though it has since declined steadily, falling from use since 2000. With a 2025 rank of 7679 and a one-in-170,808 rarity, Mykal appeals to parents who want the familiar sound of Michael with a distinct written form. The name has not been concentrated in any top states, suggesting its usage is diffuse and idiosyncratic.
Mykal is a modern respelling of Michael, which derives from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, meaning 'Who is like God?' This spelling variant emerged in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, as part of a trend of creative spelling adaptations.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Myk, Mike, Kal
Sibling names for Mykal
Names that share Mykal's style, for a brother or sister.
