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Michelle Girl

Popularity: #366 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

Pronunciationmi-SHEL / /mɪˈʃɛl/

French; Hebrew

Meaning

French: 'who is like God?'; Hebrew: 'gift from God'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Michelle is of French origin, derived from the Hebrew name Mikha'el, which means "who is like God?" This name was adapted into Latin as Michaelis, and subsequently into Old French as Michel. The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when many French names were introduced into the English language, leading to the emergence of Michelle as a feminine variant of Michael in the 20th century. The name has been used in various forms across different cultures, but its roots can be traced back to biblical texts, where Michael is an archangel mentioned in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation, signifying strength and protection.

Historically, the name Michelle gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly in the mid-1900s, when it was popularized by cultural figures and works of art. One notable milestone was the song "Michelle" by The Beatles, released in 1965, which contributed to the name's visibility in popular culture. Additionally, the name has been borne by various notable figures, including Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, who has further solidified its association with strength and leadership.

Culturally, Michelle carries connotations of grace and femininity, often associated with nurturing and compassion, reflective of its roots in the name Michael, which embodies strength. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Michy or Shelly, which have been used affectionately in different contexts. Overall, Michelle's enduring appeal can be attributed to its rich linguistic heritage and the positive attributes associated with its historical and cultural significance.

Trend Summary

Michelle was particularly popular in the United States from the 1960s to the 1990s, experiencing a decline in usage in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Michele
  • Michaela
  • Mikaela

International Variants

  • Michela (Italian)
  • Michaela (Czech)
  • Michele (French)
  • Michaela (English)

Famous people named Michelle

Michelle Obama is an author and attorney best known for Becoming, her role as First Lady of the United States, and her advocacy for education and healthy living.

Michelle Pfeiffer is an actress best known for Scarface, Batman Returns, and Dangerous Liaisons.

Michelle Williams is an actress best known for Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine, and The Greatest Showman.

Michelle Yeoh is an actress best known for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians, and Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Michelle Branch is a singer-songwriter best known for Everywhere, All You Wanted, and The Spirit Room.

Michelle Dockery is an actress best known for Downton Abbey, Godless, and Good Behavior.

Michelle Rodriguez is an actress best known for the Fast & Furious franchise, Avatar, and Girlfight.

Michelle Visage is a television personality and singer best known for RuPaul's Drag Race, and her work in the music group Seduction.

Fictional characters named Michelle

Michelle is a fictional character from the film series Mission: Impossible. She is a skilled operative who often assists the protagonist in high-stakes missions.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Michelle was first seen in the United States in 1915. Michelle has ranked as high as #9 nationally, which occurred in 1969, and has been most popular in California, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Michelle has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Michelle (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 143
20%
TX 98
14%
NY 69
10%
FL 42
6%
IL 33
5%
WA 30
4%
NJ 30
4%
OH 25
3%
GA 23
3%
TN 20
3%
MD 18
3%
MA 17
2%
NC 16
2%
AZ 15
2%
MO 13
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
19155
19185
19197
19209
19229
19236
192411
192514
192611
192712
192810
192915
193013
193112
193210
193328
193424
193527
193629
193736
193855
193959
194092
1941133
1942233
1943370
1944405
1945499
1946755
1947914
19481,044
19491,248
19501,633
19512,133
19522,881
19533,631
19544,432
19554,526
19565,327
19575,982
19587,457
19598,777
19609,892
196112,743
196213,353
196314,385
196416,181
196516,215
196627,159
196730,826
196833,223
196934,319
197034,046
197133,159
197229,287
197326,936
197425,828
197522,667
197619,551
197719,540
197818,856
197919,266
198019,120
198117,782
198217,765
198316,838
198415,499
198513,976
198613,303
198713,034
198813,339
198913,376
199013,424
199112,213
199211,511
199310,192
19948,639
19957,392
19966,598
19975,695
19985,562
19995,303
20005,545
20015,032
20024,950
20034,873
20044,720
20054,312
20064,090
20073,596
20083,342
20093,078
20102,510
20112,179
20121,934
20131,892
20141,751
20151,705
20161,562
20171,428
20181,249
20191,144
2020923
2021798
2022827
2023765
2024772