Michael

“Who is like God?” — Hebrew via Greek and Latin origin

Boy's name · #21 in the US (2025) · Retro

Michael was #1 back in 1954, spent 44 years as America's #1 name, and stands at #21 today. About 4.4 million boys have carried it since 1880. Michael's short forms are Mike, Mickey, Mick, Mikey, and Micky. Popular twin pairings with Michael include Matthew, Gabriel, and Daniel for boys, and Madison, Michelle, and Isabella for girls.

Around the world: #22 in Ireland (2025) · #38 in N. Ireland (2025) · #53 in Canada (2024) · #55 in Czechia (2025) · #61 in Austria (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 51 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Michaels

Michael Jackson — American singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer (1958–2009)
Michael Faraday — British scientist (1791–1867)
Michael Schumacher — German racing driver (born 1969)
Michael Jordan — American basketball player and businessman (born 1963)
Michael Caine — English actor (born 1933)

In stories & tradition

Michael — Bible · Paradise Lost
Michael Scofield — Prison Break
Michael Myers — Halloween

What Michaels become

Among 34,771 notable people named Michael:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.58× more often than among typical names — e.g. Michael Faraday, British scientist (1791–1867).

Similar names: Christopher · Micah · David · Daniel · Matthew · Samuel

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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