Michel Unisex
Origin(s)
Pronunciationmee-SHEL / miˈʃɛlHebrew; French
Meaning
Hebrew: Who is like God?; French: Form of Michael
Historical & Cultural Background
Michel is a variant of the name Michael, which has biblical origins. The name has been widely used in various cultures, particularly in Hebrew and Christian contexts. In France, Michel has been a popular name since the Middle Ages, often associated with Saint Michael, the archangel. The name has also been borne by numerous historical figures and continues to be a common name in many countries.
Trend Summary
Michel has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Michele
- Mikhail
- Mikael
International Variants
- Mikael (Swedish)
- Mihail (Romanian)
- Mikhail (Russian)
- Michele (Italian)
- Mihály (Hungarian)
Famous people named Michel
Michel Foucault was a French philosopher and social theorist, known for his influential works on power and knowledge.
Michel Platini is a retired French footballer, celebrated for his achievements as a midfielder and later as a football administrator.
Michel de Montaigne was a French philosopher and writer, recognized for developing the essay as a literary form.
Fictional characters named Michel
Michel is a character in the video game series 'Assassin's Creed', known for his role in the storyline.
Michel is a character in the animated film 'The Little Prince', representing themes of friendship and adventure.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Michel was first seen in the United States in 1880. Michel has ranked as high as #836 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in California, New York, Florida, Illinois, and Louisiana. In the past 5 years the name Michel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Michel (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 6 | |
| NY | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 6 |
| 1883 | 5 |
| 1888 | 8 |
| 1889 | 5 |
| 1892 | 7 |
| 1899 | 10 |
| 1901 | 5 |
| 1902 | 5 |
| 1903 | 7 |
| 1906 | 9 |
| 1907 | 8 |
| 1908 | 6 |
| 1910 | 6 |
| 1912 | 11 |
| 1913 | 17 |
| 1914 | 21 |
| 1915 | 24 |
| 1916 | 27 |
| 1917 | 18 |
| 1918 | 34 |
| 1919 | 29 |
| 1920 | 28 |
| 1921 | 31 |
| 1922 | 31 |
| 1923 | 29 |
| 1924 | 24 |
| 1925 | 31 |
| 1926 | 22 |
| 1927 | 31 |
| 1928 | 26 |
| 1929 | 28 |
| 1930 | 27 |
| 1931 | 24 |
| 1932 | 19 |
| 1933 | 27 |
| 1934 | 18 |
| 1935 | 25 |
| 1936 | 18 |
| 1937 | 23 |
| 1938 | 34 |
| 1939 | 34 |
| 1940 | 37 |
| 1941 | 46 |
| 1942 | 70 |
| 1943 | 77 |
| 1944 | 70 |
| 1945 | 76 |
| 1946 | 128 |
| 1947 | 144 |
| 1948 | 134 |
| 1949 | 167 |
| 1950 | 193 |
| 1951 | 209 |
| 1952 | 223 |
| 1953 | 243 |
| 1954 | 241 |
| 1955 | 239 |
| 1956 | 223 |
| 1957 | 284 |
| 1958 | 226 |
| 1959 | 228 |
| 1960 | 268 |
| 1961 | 254 |
| 1962 | 200 |
| 1963 | 230 |
| 1964 | 197 |
| 1965 | 200 |
| 1966 | 185 |
| 1967 | 169 |
| 1968 | 169 |
| 1969 | 161 |
| 1970 | 167 |
| 1971 | 165 |
| 1972 | 149 |
| 1973 | 139 |
| 1974 | 129 |
| 1975 | 142 |
| 1976 | 118 |
| 1977 | 142 |
| 1978 | 120 |
| 1979 | 130 |
| 1980 | 95 |
| 1981 | 103 |
| 1982 | 132 |
| 1983 | 121 |
| 1984 | 124 |
| 1985 | 103 |
| 1986 | 123 |
| 1987 | 120 |
| 1988 | 110 |
| 1989 | 128 |
| 1990 | 132 |
| 1991 | 92 |
| 1992 | 85 |
| 1993 | 77 |
| 1994 | 85 |
| 1995 | 65 |
| 1996 | 69 |
| 1997 | 84 |
| 1998 | 64 |
| 1999 | 69 |
| 2000 | 62 |
| 2001 | 60 |
| 2002 | 49 |
| 2003 | 63 |
| 2004 | 68 |
| 2005 | 57 |
| 2006 | 63 |
| 2007 | 55 |
| 2008 | 52 |
| 2009 | 55 |
| 2010 | 42 |
| 2011 | 47 |
| 2012 | 34 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 41 |
| 2016 | 20 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 26 |
| 2021 | 25 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 31 |