Michelle Girl
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)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 143 | |
TX | 98 | |
NY | 69 | |
FL | 42 | |
IL | 33 | |
WA | 30 | |
NJ | 30 | |
OH | 25 | |
GA | 23 | |
TN | 20 | |
MD | 18 | |
MA | 17 | |
NC | 16 | |
AZ | 15 | |
MO | 13 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1915 | 5 |
1918 | 5 |
1919 | 7 |
1920 | 9 |
1922 | 9 |
1923 | 6 |
1924 | 11 |
1925 | 14 |
1926 | 11 |
1927 | 12 |
1928 | 10 |
1929 | 15 |
1930 | 13 |
1931 | 12 |
1932 | 10 |
1933 | 28 |
1934 | 24 |
1935 | 27 |
1936 | 29 |
1937 | 36 |
1938 | 55 |
1939 | 59 |
1940 | 92 |
1941 | 133 |
1942 | 233 |
1943 | 370 |
1944 | 405 |
1945 | 499 |
1946 | 755 |
1947 | 914 |
1948 | 1,044 |
1949 | 1,248 |
1950 | 1,633 |
1951 | 2,133 |
1952 | 2,881 |
1953 | 3,631 |
1954 | 4,432 |
1955 | 4,526 |
1956 | 5,327 |
1957 | 5,982 |
1958 | 7,457 |
1959 | 8,777 |
1960 | 9,892 |
1961 | 12,743 |
1962 | 13,353 |
1963 | 14,385 |
1964 | 16,181 |
1965 | 16,215 |
1966 | 27,159 |
1967 | 30,826 |
1968 | 33,223 |
1969 | 34,319 |
1970 | 34,046 |
1971 | 33,159 |
1972 | 29,287 |
1973 | 26,936 |
1974 | 25,828 |
1975 | 22,667 |
1976 | 19,551 |
1977 | 19,540 |
1978 | 18,856 |
1979 | 19,266 |
1980 | 19,120 |
1981 | 17,782 |
1982 | 17,765 |
1983 | 16,838 |
1984 | 15,499 |
1985 | 13,976 |
1986 | 13,303 |
1987 | 13,034 |
1988 | 13,339 |
1989 | 13,376 |
1990 | 13,424 |
1991 | 12,213 |
1992 | 11,511 |
1993 | 10,192 |
1994 | 8,639 |
1995 | 7,392 |
1996 | 6,598 |
1997 | 5,695 |
1998 | 5,562 |
1999 | 5,303 |
2000 | 5,545 |
2001 | 5,032 |
2002 | 4,950 |
2003 | 4,873 |
2004 | 4,720 |
2005 | 4,312 |
2006 | 4,090 |
2007 | 3,596 |
2008 | 3,342 |
2009 | 3,078 |
2010 | 2,510 |
2011 | 2,179 |
2012 | 1,934 |
2013 | 1,892 |
2014 | 1,751 |
2015 | 1,705 |
2016 | 1,562 |
2017 | 1,428 |
2018 | 1,249 |
2019 | 1,144 |
2020 | 923 |
2021 | 798 |
2022 | 827 |
2023 | 765 |
2024 | 772 |