Mekhai Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: meh-KAI //mɛˈkaɪ//
Origin: Hebrew; Russian
Meaning: Who is like God? (Hebrew); Gift of God (Russian)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mekhai is of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name מִיכָיָה (Mikhaiah), which translates to "who is like Yahweh?" This name is a combination of the elements "mi" meaning "who," "ka" meaning "like," and "Yah" referring to Yahweh, the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. The name has undergone various transformations through linguistic and cultural exchanges, eventually appearing in Anglicized forms such as Micah and Micaiah in English.
The transition into English occurred primarily through the translation of the Bible, notably the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped popularize biblical names in English-speaking contexts. Historically, the name Mekhai is associated with several significant biblical figures.
One of the most notable is Micah, a prophet from the 8th century BCE, who is credited with a biblical book bearing his name, the Book of Micah. This text is part of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible and addresses themes of social justice and divine judgment.
The name also appears in the context of Micaiah, a lesser-known prophet mentioned in the First Book of Kings, who stood against King Ahab, emphasizing the importance of prophetic voices in ancient Israelite society. Culturally, names derived from the Hebrew tradition, such as Mekhai, carry deep spiritual significance and are often associated with themes of faith, identity, and divine connection.
The enduring nature of such names reflects their roots in religious texts and the cultural practices surrounding naming in Jewish tradition. The name's connection to the divine through its meaning has contributed to its historical resonance, making it a name of importance in various religious and cultural contexts.
Famous people named Mekhai
In this section, you will find notable people named Mekhai. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mekhai who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mekhai who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mekhai Phifer is an actor best known for ER, 8 Mile, and Soul Food.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mekhai, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mekhai was first seen in the United States in 1998.
Mekhai has ranked as high as #6741 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in New York, California, Maryland, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Mekhai has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mekhai is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mekhai was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mekhai.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 14 |
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 19 | 19 |
| 2022 | 18 | 18 |
| 2021 | 25 | 25 |
| 2020 | 11 | 11 |
| 2019 | 18 | 18 |
| 2018 | 19 | 19 |
| 2017 | 38 | 38 |
| 2016 | 30 | 30 |
| 2015 | 27 | 27 |
| 2014 | 16 | 16 |
| 2013 | 21 | 21 |
| 2012 | 23 | 23 |
| 2011 | 20 | 20 |
| 2010 | 17 | 17 |
| 2009 | 25 | 25 |
| 2008 | 35 | 35 |
| 2007 | 18 | 18 |
| 2006 | 25 | 25 |
| 2005 | 24 | 24 |
| 2004 | 23 | 23 |
| 2003 | 22 | 22 |
| 2002 | 10 | 10 |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 |
| 2000 | 5 | 5 |
| 1999 | 7 | 7 |
| 1998 | 7 | 7 |
Top States for Mekhai (2021)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 | |
| MD | 6 |