The nameMichelle
Michelle is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God?". The French feminine of Michael, it reached second place in the United States in the 1960s.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Michelle comes from Michael, the Hebrew Mikha'el, "who is like God?".
Origin
Hebrew, through French. Michelle is the feminine of Michel.
History
Michelle entered the American top 10 in 1966, helped by the Beatles song Michelle (1965), and reached second place. Michelle Obama is a famous bearer.
Did you know?
- Becoming, Michelle Obama's 2018 memoir, is one of the best selling memoirs ever published.
- In 2023 Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian actress to win the Oscar for Best Actress.
Famous people named Michelle
- Michelle Obama, First Lady
- Michelle Pfeiffer, actress
- Michelle Yeoh, actress
- Michelle Kwan, figure skater
Popularity of the name Michelle
Michelle in the United States
Michelle was most popular in the United States in the 1970s, with 250,208 births over the decade, 31% of all recorded babies named Michelle. Its rise began around 1953, and it peaked in 1969. Half of all babies named Michelle in the United States were born before 1974, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 817 births a year on average, against 1,418 in the five years before.
Michelle in the United Kingdom
Michelle was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,957 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Michelle. Half of all babies named Michelle in the United Kingdom were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 124 births a year.
Michelle in Ireland
Michelle in France
Michelle in Belgium
Michelle in Switzerland
Michelle in Austria
Michelle in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Michelle
Names from the same generation as Michelle, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Michelle? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Michelle with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Michelle side by side with the name of your choice.
Michelle in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Michelle mean?
Michelle comes from Michael, the Hebrew Mikha'el, "who is like God?".
What is the origin of the name Michelle?
Hebrew, through French. Michelle is the feminine of Michel.
Is Michelle a girl's or a boy's name?
Michelle is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Michelle?
In 2024, Michelle was the 409th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 772 births.
What are the variants of the name Michelle?
Variants and related names of Michelle include Michael, Michel and Shelly.
What are good sibling names for Michelle?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Gabrielle, Rebecca, Jacqueline and Sarah for a sister, Zachary, Brian, Jimmy and Ruben for a brother.
Who are famous people named Michelle?
Michelle Obama, First Lady; Michelle Pfeiffer, actress; Michelle Yeoh, actress; Michelle Kwan, figure skater.