Michael
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Who is like God? (a rhetorical declaration of God's greatness)
Origin: Hebrew — from Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל)
Popularity: Ranked #21 in 2025 with 8,094 babies born.
History: Michael is the archangel who leads God's armies against evil in the Bible — a warrior of heaven. It is arguably the most dominant male name in American history, holding the #1 spot for a record 44 years between 1954 and 2008 (with only brief interruptions). Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, and Mike Tyson made it the name of champions in every field. Despite slipping from #1, Michael remains perennially in the top 10. Mike and Mikey keep it feeling warm and accessible.
Famous people named Michael: Michael Jordan (athlete), Michael Jackson (musician), Michael B. Jordan (actor)
Name length: 7 letters
How common is Michael? About 1 in 411 babies born in 2025 were named Michael, or roughly 22.2 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Michael
What does the name Michael mean?
Michael means “Who is like God? (a rhetorical declaration of God's greatness)” from Hebrew — from Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל) roots.
What is the origin of the name Michael?
Michael has Hebrew — from Mikha'el (מִיכָאֵל) origin. The traditional meaning is “Who is like God? (a rhetorical declaration of God's greatness)”.
How popular is Michael?
Michael ranked #21 in 2025 — given to 8,094 babies that year.
When was Michael most popular?
Michael peaked in 1957 with 92,786 babies registered that year.
Is Michael a boy or girl name?
Michael is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Michaels in registered births are male.
Is the name Michael rising or falling in popularity?
Michael has risen 5147 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #5168 in 2020 to #21 in 2025.
How long has Michael been recorded?
Michael appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.