Micah Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MY-kuh //ˈmaɪ.kə//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: Hebrew: who is like God; English: a variant of Michael
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Micah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name מִיכָיָה (Mikha), which means "who is like Yahweh?" This name is a theophoric name, incorporating the name of God, Yahweh, which reflects a common practice in ancient Hebrew naming conventions. The name transitioned into Greek as Μιχαίας (Mikhaías) and subsequently into Latin as Micha, before being adopted into Old French and finally into Middle English as Micah.
This linguistic journey illustrates the name's enduring significance across cultures and languages. Historically, Micah is notably recognized as a biblical prophet, with the Book of Micah being one of the twelve minor prophetic books in the Old Testament.
The text is believed to have been written in the 8th century BCE, during a time of social injustice and moral decay in Israel. Micah's prophecies emphasized themes of justice, mercy, and humility, making his contributions significant in the religious and moral discourse of the time.
His name appears in various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, which helped to solidify its use in Christian contexts. Culturally, the name Micah has been associated with strength and faithfulness, reflecting the characteristics of the biblical figure.
The name has also been embraced in various religious traditions, symbolizing a connection to divine attributes. In addition to its biblical roots, Micah has been used in various literary and artistic works throughout history, further embedding it in cultural consciousness.
The diminutive form "Mikey" has emerged in some contexts, although it is less historically significant than the full name. Overall, Micah's rich etymological background and historical significance contribute to its lasting resonance in various cultures.
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U.S. Historical Usage
The name Micah was first seen in the United States in 1946. Micah has ranked as high as #142 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Micah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Micah (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 457 | |
| CA | 381 | |
| FL | 226 | |
| PA | 180 | |
| GA | 174 | |
| NC | 163 | |
| OH | 153 | |
| NY | 142 | |
| VA | 130 | |
| TN | 112 | |
| IN | 110 | |
| IL | 103 | |
| WA | 102 | |
| MI | 97 | |
| MN | 86 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1946 | 5 |
| 1947 | 5 |
| 1949 | 17 |
| 1950 | 16 |
| 1951 | 13 |
| 1952 | 14 |
| 1953 | 12 |
| 1954 | 15 |
| 1955 | 26 |
| 1956 | 24 |
| 1957 | 22 |
| 1958 | 31 |
| 1959 | 65 |
| 1960 | 73 |
| 1961 | 103 |
| 1962 | 110 |
| 1963 | 95 |
| 1964 | 96 |
| 1965 | 117 |
| 1966 | 108 |
| 1967 | 129 |
| 1968 | 130 |
| 1969 | 174 |
| 1970 | 225 |
| 1971 | 269 |
| 1972 | 373 |
| 1973 | 527 |
| 1974 | 694 |
| 1975 | 790 |
| 1976 | 900 |
| 1977 | 1,051 |
| 1978 | 1,006 |
| 1979 | 1,144 |
| 1980 | 1,048 |
| 1981 | 1,168 |
| 1982 | 1,123 |
| 1983 | 1,039 |
| 1984 | 1,113 |
| 1985 | 1,147 |
| 1986 | 1,101 |
| 1987 | 1,064 |
| 1988 | 1,114 |
| 1989 | 1,118 |
| 1990 | 1,180 |
| 1991 | 1,136 |
| 1992 | 1,195 |
| 1993 | 1,203 |
| 1994 | 1,169 |
| 1995 | 1,391 |
| 1996 | 1,478 |
| 1997 | 1,570 |
| 1998 | 1,692 |
| 1999 | 1,739 |
| 2000 | 1,975 |
| 2001 | 2,113 |
| 2002 | 2,224 |
| 2003 | 2,286 |
| 2004 | 2,489 |
| 2005 | 2,714 |
| 2006 | 2,841 |
| 2007 | 3,307 |
| 2008 | 3,527 |
| 2009 | 3,541 |
| 2010 | 3,570 |
| 2011 | 3,771 |
| 2012 | 3,764 |
| 2013 | 3,700 |
| 2014 | 3,666 |
| 2015 | 3,766 |
| 2016 | 3,496 |
| 2017 | 3,710 |
| 2018 | 3,777 |
| 2019 | 3,506 |
| 2020 | 3,410 |
| 2021 | 3,623 |
| 2022 | 3,964 |
| 2023 | 3,889 |
| 2024 | 3,909 |