Mikhail Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mee-KHAIL /mʲɪˈxail/
Origin: Russian; Hebrew
Meaning: Russian: Who is like God?; Hebrew: Gift from God
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mikhail is of Hebrew origin, derived from the name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el), which translates to "Who is like God?" This name was adopted into Greek as Μιχαήλ (Mikhaēl) and subsequently into Latin as Michael. The name made its way into Old French as Michel before being incorporated into English during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.
The linguistic journey of Mikhail reflects a blend of religious significance and cultural adaptation, as it was borne by various biblical figures, most notably the archangel Michael, who is a prominent figure in Judeo-Christian traditions, often associated with protection and leadership in spiritual warfare. Historically, the name Michael has been significant in various cultures and religions.
In Christianity, the archangel Michael is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, the Epistle of Jude, and the Book of Revelation, where he leads the heavenly armies against the forces of evil. The name gained further prominence in the Middle Ages, particularly with the veneration of Saint Michael, whose feast day is celebrated on September 29.
This period saw the establishment of numerous churches and institutions dedicated to him, reinforcing the name's cultural and religious resonance. In addition to its religious connotations, the name Mikhail has been embraced in various cultures, particularly in Slavic regions, where it has been adapted into forms such as Mikhail in Russian and Mikhaylo in Ukrainian.
The name has been associated with notable historical figures, including several Russian tsars and prominent leaders, which has contributed to its enduring legacy. The symbolic association of Mikhail with divine protection and strength has ensured its continued relevance across different cultures and eras.
Famous people named Mikhail
In this section, you will find notable people named Mikhail. 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 Mikhail who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mikhail 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.
Mikhail Baryshnikov is a dancer and actor best known for The Nutcracker, White Nights, and The Turning Point.
Mikhail Gorbachev is a politician best known for his role as the last leader of the Soviet Union, and for policies like Glasnost and Perestroika.
Mikhail Lermontov is a poet and novelist best known for A Hero of Our Time and his poetry.
Mikhail Bulgakov is a writer best known for The Master and Margarita and Heart of a Dog.
Mikhail Sholokhov is a novelist best known for And Quiet Flows the Don and Virgin Soil.
Mikhail Prokhorov is a businessman best known for owning the Brooklyn Nets and his involvement in the Russian business sector.
Fictional characters named Mikhail
The following list of fictional characters named Mikhail is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mikhail is a fictional character from the video game series Metal Gear. He is a member of the Russian military and plays a significant role in the storyline of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mikhail, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mikhail. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mikhail was first seen in the United States in 1968.
Mikhail has ranked as high as #1251 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Mikhail has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mikhail 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 Mikhail was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mikhail (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 13 | |
| TX | 9 | |
| NY | 8 | |
| CA | 7 | |
| WA | 5 |
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 Mikhail.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 83 |
| 2023 | 93 |
| 2022 | 87 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2020 | 107 |
| 2019 | 97 |
| 2018 | 114 |
| 2017 | 119 |
| 2016 | 128 |
| 2015 | 143 |
| 2014 | 138 |
| 2013 | 122 |
| 2012 | 124 |
| 2011 | 120 |
| 2010 | 118 |
| 2009 | 119 |
| 2008 | 123 |
| 2007 | 98 |
| 2006 | 101 |
| 2005 | 96 |
| 2004 | 91 |
| 2003 | 101 |
| 2002 | 97 |
| 2001 | 87 |
| 2000 | 73 |
| 1999 | 79 |
| 1998 | 78 |
| 1997 | 62 |
| 1996 | 69 |
| 1995 | 69 |
| 1994 | 71 |
| 1993 | 65 |
| 1992 | 99 |
| 1991 | 95 |
| 1990 | 119 |
| 1989 | 88 |
| 1988 | 98 |
| 1987 | 73 |
| 1986 | 61 |
| 1985 | 48 |
| 1984 | 22 |
| 1983 | 11 |
| 1982 | 23 |
| 1981 | 23 |
| 1980 | 22 |
| 1979 | 16 |
| 1978 | 16 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1968 | 5 |