The nameMichel
Michel is the French form of Michael. It was a top 500 American name in the 1950s.
- Boy's name
- French
- Feast day
Meaning
Michel comes from the Hebrew Mikha'el, "who is like God?".
Origin
French, from Hebrew.
History
In the United States Michel reached 458th place for boys in 1957.
Did you know?
- Mont Saint-Michel, off the coast of Normandy, is crowned by a gilded statue of the archangel Michael, set up in 1897.
- Michel Platini won three Ballon d'Or awards in a row, from 1983 to 1985.
- Michel Legrand won three Oscars, including one for the song The Windmills of Your Mind.
Famous people named Michel
- Michel de Montaigne, essayist
- Michel Legrand, composer
- Michel Platini, footballer
Popularity of the name Michel
Michel in the United States
Michel was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 2,713 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Michel. Its rise began around 1918, and it peaked in 1957. Half of all babies named Michel in the United States were born before 1968, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 36 births a year.
Michel in France
Michel was most popular in France in the 1940s, with 241,065 births over the decade, 29% of all recorded babies named Michel. Its rise began around 1923, and it peaked in 1947. Half of all babies named Michel in France were born before 1948, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 68 births a year.
Michel in Belgium
Michel in Switzerland
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Michel
Names from the same generation as Michel, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Michel? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Michel with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Michel side by side with the name of your choice.
Michel in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Michel mean?
Michel comes from the Hebrew Mikha'el, "who is like God?".
What is the origin of the name Michel?
French, from Hebrew.
Is Michel a girl's or a boy's name?
Michel is a boy's name. In the United States, 25% of the babies named Michel are girls.
How popular is the name Michel?
In 2024, Michel was the 3617th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 31 births.
What are the variants of the name Michel?
Variants and related names of Michel include Micaela, Michele, Micheline, Michelle and Mikael.
What are good sibling names for Michel?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Alize, Rachelle, Diane and Gladys for a sister, Luc, Armand, Rigoberto and Alexandre for a brother.
Who are famous people named Michel?
Michel de Montaigne, essayist; Michel Legrand, composer; Michel Platini, footballer.