Michael Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationMYE-kul / /ˈmaɪ.kəl/Hebrew; Latin; Greek
Meaning
Hebrew: Who is like God?; Latin: Like God; Greek: One who is like God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Michael has its roots in the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el), which translates to "Who is like God?" This question reflects a rhetorical device common in Hebrew names, emphasizing the greatness of God. The name was adopted into Greek as Μιχαήλ (Mikhaēl) and subsequently into Latin as Michael, which was then introduced into Old French before making its way into Middle English. The transition through these languages illustrates the name's enduring significance across cultures and eras, particularly within Judeo-Christian contexts.
Historically, Michael is a prominent figure in religious texts, notably as one of the archangels in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament. His mention in the Book of Daniel, which dates back to the 6th century BCE, marks one of the earliest references. Michael is also depicted in the Book of Revelation, where he leads the heavenly armies against the forces of evil. The name gained further prominence through the veneration of Saint Michael, whose feast day is celebrated on September 29. The establishment of this feast in the 5th century CE solidified the name's association with protection and divine strength.
Culturally, Michael has been a symbol of leadership and valor, often associated with military and protective roles. The name has appeared in various forms of literature and art, including the famous depiction of Saint Michael defeating the dragon in Renaissance art. Its resonance is further enhanced by its use in various languages and cultures, maintaining a sense of reverence and historical depth. The diminutive form, Mike, has also emerged, reflecting a more familiar and approachable variant of the name, though its historical significance remains tied to the original form.
Trend Summary
Michael has consistently been a popular name in the United States, frequently ranking among the top names for boys since the 20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Mikael
- Mikhail
- Micheal
International Variants
- Mikael (Swedish)
- Mikhail (Russian)
- Michele (Italian)
- Miguel (Spanish)
- Mihai (Romanian)
Famous people named Michael
Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls, winning six NBA championships, and being a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Michael Jackson is a singer and entertainer best known for his albums Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous.
Michael Phelps is a former competitive swimmer best known for winning 23 Olympic gold medals and setting multiple world records.
Michael Caine is an actor best known for his roles in The Dark Knight, Alfie, and The Cider House Rules.
Michael Keaton is an actor best known for his roles in Batman, Birdman, and Beetlejuice.
Michael B. Jordan is an actor and producer best known for his roles in Black Panther, Creed, and Fruitvale Station.
Michael Fassbender is an actor best known for his roles in 12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs, and X-Men: First Class.
Michael Douglas is an actor and producer best known for his roles in Wall Street, Basic Instinct, and The Game.
Michael Bay is a film director and producer best known for directing the Transformers series, Armageddon, and Pearl Harbor.
Michael J. Fox is an actor best known for his roles in Back to the Future, Family Ties, and Spin City.
Michael Chiklis is an actor best known for his roles in The Shield, Fantastic Four, and Gotham.
Michael Mann is a film director and producer best known for directing Heat, Collateral, and The Insider.
Michael Stipe is a musician best known as the lead singer of the band R.E.M. and for songs like Losing My Religion and Everybody Hurts.
Michael Strahan is a former professional American football player best known for his time with the New York Giants and as a television personality on Good Morning America.
Michael C. Hall is an actor best known for his roles in Dexter, Six Feet Under, and Safe.
Michael Gambon is an actor best known for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series.
Michael Clarke Duncan is an actor best known for his role in The Green Mile and for his performances in The Whole Nine Yards and Armageddon.
Michael Irby is an actor best known for his roles in The Unit, Barry, and The Last Ship.
Michael Weatherly is an actor best known for his roles in NCIS, Bull, and Dark Angel.
Michael McKean is an actor and comedian best known for his roles in This Is Spinal Tap, Better Call Saul, and Laverne & Shirley.
Michael Rosenbaum is an actor best known for his role as Lex Luthor in Smallville and for his work in the film Urban Legend.
Michael Wincott is an actor best known for his roles in The Crow, Alien: Resurrection, and 1492: Conquest of Paradise.
Michael Nouri is an actor best known for his roles in Flashdance, The Terminal, and The Proposal.
Michael McDonald is a singer and songwriter best known for his work with The Doobie Brothers and his solo hits like I Keep Forgettin'.
Michael Ealy is an actor best known for his roles in Barbershop, Think Like a Man, and The Perfect Guy.
Michael S. Schmidt is a journalist best known for his reporting for The New York Times and his coverage of national security issues.
Fictional characters named Michael
Michael Myers is a fictional character from the horror film franchise Halloween. He is a relentless serial killer known for his iconic mask and silent demeanor.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Michael was first seen in the United States in 1880. Michael has ranked as high as #1 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Michael has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Michael (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 914 | |
TX | 883 | |
NY | 592 | |
FL | 579 | |
PA | 372 | |
IL | 332 | |
OH | 300 | |
NC | 239 | |
MI | 239 | |
GA | 236 | |
VA | 236 | |
MA | 191 | |
TN | 179 | |
AZ | 159 | |
IN | 153 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 354 |
1881 | 298 |
1882 | 321 |
1883 | 307 |
1884 | 373 |
1885 | 370 |
1886 | 348 |
1887 | 344 |
1888 | 466 |
1889 | 377 |
1890 | 394 |
1891 | 333 |
1892 | 380 |
1893 | 407 |
1894 | 423 |
1895 | 413 |
1896 | 399 |
1897 | 368 |
1898 | 434 |
1899 | 375 |
1900 | 495 |
1901 | 384 |
1902 | 460 |
1903 | 466 |
1904 | 462 |
1905 | 513 |
1906 | 531 |
1907 | 586 |
1908 | 688 |
1909 | 635 |
1910 | 844 |
1911 | 1,159 |
1912 | 2,104 |
1913 | 2,607 |
1914 | 3,362 |
1915 | 4,079 |
1916 | 4,210 |
1917 | 4,288 |
1918 | 4,296 |
1919 | 3,910 |
1920 | 4,003 |
1921 | 4,198 |
1922 | 3,990 |
1923 | 3,915 |
1924 | 3,874 |
1925 | 3,761 |
1926 | 3,485 |
1927 | 3,605 |
1928 | 3,598 |
1929 | 3,465 |
1930 | 3,542 |
1931 | 3,489 |
1932 | 3,607 |
1933 | 3,549 |
1934 | 4,108 |
1935 | 4,906 |
1936 | 5,800 |
1937 | 7,094 |
1938 | 9,076 |
1939 | 10,829 |
1940 | 13,228 |
1941 | 15,935 |
1942 | 21,728 |
1943 | 24,745 |
1944 | 26,717 |
1945 | 29,902 |
1946 | 41,192 |
1947 | 50,505 |
1948 | 52,566 |
1949 | 60,046 |
1950 | 65,138 |
1951 | 72,805 |
1952 | 79,039 |
1953 | 84,202 |
1954 | 88,564 |
1955 | 88,352 |
1956 | 90,691 |
1957 | 92,786 |
1958 | 90,598 |
1959 | 85,291 |
1960 | 84,139 |
1961 | 86,968 |
1962 | 85,056 |
1963 | 83,757 |
1964 | 82,619 |
1965 | 81,002 |
1966 | 79,984 |
1967 | 82,412 |
1968 | 81,974 |
1969 | 85,159 |
1970 | 85,271 |
1971 | 77,585 |
1972 | 71,391 |
1973 | 67,808 |
1974 | 67,535 |
1975 | 68,422 |
1976 | 66,917 |
1977 | 67,588 |
1978 | 67,133 |
1979 | 67,718 |
1980 | 68,687 |
1981 | 68,759 |
1982 | 68,228 |
1983 | 67,997 |
1984 | 67,741 |
1985 | 64,936 |
1986 | 64,236 |
1987 | 63,663 |
1988 | 64,168 |
1989 | 65,409 |
1990 | 65,318 |
1991 | 60,807 |
1992 | 54,409 |
1993 | 49,568 |
1994 | 44,475 |
1995 | 41,410 |
1996 | 38,373 |
1997 | 37,557 |
1998 | 36,619 |
1999 | 33,915 |
2000 | 32,043 |
2001 | 29,689 |
2002 | 28,258 |
2003 | 27,129 |
2004 | 25,470 |
2005 | 23,827 |
2006 | 22,651 |
2007 | 22,024 |
2008 | 20,651 |
2009 | 18,960 |
2010 | 17,381 |
2011 | 16,822 |
2012 | 16,209 |
2013 | 15,540 |
2014 | 15,496 |
2015 | 14,497 |
2016 | 14,139 |
2017 | 12,723 |
2018 | 11,750 |
2019 | 10,614 |
2020 | 9,824 |
2021 | 9,136 |
2022 | 8,888 |
2023 | 8,416 |
2024 | 8,189 |