Michelle Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Michelle Name Meaning

Fact: The Beatles’ song “Michelle” won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1967. This romantic ballad contributed to the name’s popularity during that era​.

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A Deep Dive

Michelle Overview

Meaning

Who is like God, who resembles God

Gender

Girl

Origin

French, Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name Michael, which means “Who is like God?”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/mɪˈʃɛl/

Popularity

Michelle is well-loved globally, especially in English-speaking countries and parts of Europe. In the USA, Michelle ranked 401st for girls in 2023​

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)

Name Styles

Classic, Popular, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Elegant, graceful, compassionate, refined

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Michelle is often associated with the archangel Michael, symbolizing divine protection and strength.

Name Day

September 29th (France)​
A Deep Dive

Michelle Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Michaela, Michelina, Mikaela, Michele, Michella, Mischa, Micaela, Michel

Common Nicknames

Shelly, Misha, Michi, Miki, Elle

Diminutives

Mich, Chel, Shel

Famous People

  • Michelle Pfeiffer
    (American Actress)
  • Michelle Williams
    (American Actress)
  • Michelle Rodriguez
    (American Actress)
  • Michelle Kwan
    (American Figure Skater)
  • Michelle Yeoh
    (Malaysian Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Michelle Obama
    ("Becoming," Memoir)
  • Michelle Tanner
    ("Full House," TV Series)
  • Michelle Pfeiffer
    ("Scarface," Film)
  • "Michelle"
    (1965 Song by The Beatles)

What Is the Meaning of Michelle?

The name Michelle means “Who is like God?” This name is representative of a kind and compassionate personality, portraying a gentle and empathetic nature.

What Is the Origin of The Name Michelle?

Michelle is of French origin, derived from the Hebrew name Michael, which means “Who is like God?” It was initially used as a feminine form of Michel in France.

Michelle Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Michelle in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3932021#3772022#4012023
Top 3 Rankings#21968#21969#21971

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Michelle

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023401
(-24 from 2022)
763
(-61 from 2022)
0.04362
2022377
(+16 from 2021)
824
(+26 from 2021)
0.04595
2021393
(-57 from 2020)
798
(-125 from 2020)
0.04454
2020336
(-44 from 2019)
923
(-220 from 2019)
0.05222
2019292
(-29 from 2018)
1143
(-104 from 2018)
0.06229
2018263
(-47 from 2017)
1247
(-181 from 2017)
0.06706
2017216
(-7 from 2016)
1428
(-133 from 2016)
0.07559
2016209
(-17 from 2015)
1561
(-143 from 2015)
0.08064
2015192
(-4 from 2014)
1704
(-47 from 2014)
0.08735
2014188
(-20 from 2013)
1751
(-141 from 2013)
0.08950
2013168
(-6 from 2012)
1892
(-42 from 2012)
0.09815
2012162
(-18 from 2011)
1934
(-245 from 2011)
0.09972
2011144
(-19 from 2010)
2179
(-331 from 2010)
0.11245
2010125
(-21 from 2009)
2510
(-568 from 2009)
0.12802
2009104
(-3 from 2008)
3078
(-264 from 2008)
0.15199
2008101
(-7 from 2007)
3342
(-254 from 2007)
0.16045
200794
(-13 from 2006)
3596
(-493 from 2006)
0.16990
200681
(-7 from 2005)
4089
(-223 from 2005)
0.19560
200574
(-8 from 2004)
4312
(-408 from 2004)
0.21246
200466
(-4 from 2003)
4720
(-153 from 2003)
0.23392
200362
(-4 from 2002)
4873
(-77 from 2002)
0.24287
200258
(+1 from 2001)
4950
(-82 from 2001)
0.25063
200159
(-7 from 2000)
5032
(-513 from 2000)
0.25402
200052
(+4 from 1999)
5545
(+242 from 1999)
0.27784
199956
(-1 from 1998)
5303
(-258 from 1998)
0.27240
199855
No change from 1997
5561
(-133 from 1997)
0.28687
199755
(-8 from 1996)
5694
(-904 from 1996)
0.29823
199647
(-6 from 1995)
6598
(-794 from 1995)
0.34414
199541
(-8 from 1994)
7392
(-1247 from 1994)
0.38469
199433
(-2 from 1993)
8639
(-1552 from 1993)
0.44317
199331
(-6 from 1992)
10191
(-1320 from 1992)
0.51691
199225
(-3 from 1991)
11511
(-701 from 1991)
0.57421
199122
No change from 1990
12212
(-1211 from 1990)
0.60056
199022
No change from 1989
13423
(+46 from 1989)
0.65338
198922
(-1 from 1988)
13377
(+36 from 1988)
0.67147
198821
No change from 1987
13341
(+307 from 1987)
0.69372
198721
(+2 from 1986)
13034
(-269 from 1986)
0.69544
198623
(-1 from 1985)
13303
(-672 from 1985)
0.72084
198522
(-5 from 1984)
13975
(-1524 from 1984)
0.75691
198417
(-4 from 1983)
15499
(-1339 from 1983)
0.85947
198313
(-2 from 1982)
16838
(-928 from 1982)
0.94084
198211
No change from 1981
17766
(-15 from 1981)
0.97923
198111
(-1 from 1980)
17781
(-1339 from 1980)
0.99418
198010
No change from 1979
19120
(-146 from 1979)
1.07377
197910
(-1 from 1978)
19266
(+409 from 1978)
1.11799
19789
(-2 from 1977)
18857
(-682 from 1977)
1.14709
19777
(-1 from 1976)
19539
(-13 from 1976)
1.18778
19766
No change from 1975
19552
(-3112 from 1975)
1.24385
19756
(-3 from 1974)
22664
(-3166 from 1974)
1.45201
19743
No change from 1973
25830
(-1105 from 1973)
1.64916
19733
(-1 from 1972)
26935
(-2352 from 1972)
1.73315
19722
No change from 1971
29287
(-3872 from 1971)
1.81619
19712
(+2 from 1970)
33159
(-887 from 1970)
1.89199
19704
(-2 from 1969)
34046
(-271 from 1969)
1.85855
19692
No change from 1968
34317
(+1095 from 1968)
1.94680
19682
(+1 from 1967)
33222
(+2396 from 1967)
1.94317
19673
(+1 from 1966)
30826
(+3668 from 1966)
1.79551
19664
(+14 from 1965)
27158
(+10943 from 1965)
1.54678
196518
(+5 from 1964)
16215
(+33 from 1964)
0.88730
196423
(+3 from 1963)
16182
(+1797 from 1963)
0.82673
196326
(+5 from 1962)
14385
(+1034 from 1962)
0.72356
196231
(+3 from 1961)
13351
(+607 from 1961)
0.65869
196134
(+5 from 1960)
12744
(+2852 from 1960)
0.61354
196039
(+8 from 1959)
9892
(+1116 from 1959)
0.47564
195947
(+9 from 1958)
8776
(+1316 from 1958)
0.42221
195856
(+23 from 1957)
7460
(+1479 from 1957)
0.36113
195779
(+9 from 1956)
5981
(+654 from 1956)
0.28506
195688
(+9 from 1955)
5327
(+801 from 1955)
0.25865
195597
(-3 from 1954)
4526
(+94 from 1954)
0.22575
195494
(+13 from 1953)
4432
(+801 from 1953)
0.22262
1953107
(+17 from 1952)
3631
(+750 from 1952)
0.18818
1952124
(+27 from 1951)
2881
(+748 from 1951)
0.15147
1951151
(+23 from 1950)
2133
(+500 from 1950)
0.11547
1950174
(+39 from 1949)
1633
(+385 from 1949)
0.09286
1949213
(+17 from 1948)
1248
(+204 from 1948)
0.07109
1948230
(+18 from 1947)
1044
(+130 from 1947)
0.05991
1947248
(+15 from 1946)
914
(+159 from 1946)
0.05028
1946263
(+44 from 1945)
755
(+256 from 1945)
0.04681
1945307
(+34 from 1944)
499
(+94 from 1944)
0.03707
1944341
(+32 from 1943)
405
(+35 from 1943)
0.02964
1943373
(+109 from 1942)
370
(+137 from 1942)
0.02578
1942482
(+130 from 1941)
233
(+100 from 1941)
0.01676
1941612
(+114 from 1940)
133
(+41 from 1940)
0.01067
1940726
(+192 from 1939)
92
(+33 from 1939)
0.00779
1939918
(+37 from 1938)
59
(+4 from 1938)
0.00520
1938955
(+241 from 1937)
55
(+19 from 1937)
0.00482
19371196
(+149 from 1936)
36
(+7 from 1936)
0.00327
19361345
(+72 from 1935)
29
(+2 from 1935)
0.00269
19351417
(+101 from 1934)
27
(+3 from 1934)
0.00248
19341518
(-154 from 1933)
24
(-4 from 1933)
0.00222
19331364
(+1466 from 1932)
28
(+18 from 1932)
0.00268
19322830
(-403 from 1931)
10
(-2 from 1931)
0.00090
19312427
(-1 from 1930)
12
(-1 from 1930)
0.00109
19302426
(-235 from 1929)
13
(-2 from 1929)
0.00111
19292191
(+762 from 1928)
15
(+5 from 1928)
0.00130
19282953
(-254 from 1927)
10
(-2 from 1927)
0.00084
19272699
(+173 from 1926)
12
(+1 from 1926)
0.00097
19262872
(-383 from 1925)
11
(-3 from 1925)
0.00089
19252489
(+484 from 1924)
14
(+3 from 1924)
0.00111
19242973
(+1403 from 1923)
11
(+5 from 1923)
0.00085
19234376
(-997 from 1922)
6
(-3 from 1922)
0.00048
19223379
(-39 from 1920)
9
No change from 1920
0.00072
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19203340
(+477 from 1919)
9
(+2 from 1919)
0.00072
19193817
(+992 from 1918)
7
(+2 from 1918)
0.00060
19184809
(-535 from 1915)
5
No change from 1915
0.00042
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19154274
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00049
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Michelle

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2162021#1952022#2342023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2192021#2822022#2752023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#2842021#3082022#3252023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2832021#3642022#3732023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#6432021#5362022#6282023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5662021#4822022#5602023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#11952021#13422022#4772023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3952021#3622022#3782023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#3942021#1642022#3172023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4202021#5392022#7072023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5032021#3572022#6192023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#5682020#4962022#6322023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#6712019#5962020#9172021

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#7432021#5942022#4142023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3172021#4202022#4052023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#5432021#4712022#4622023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2542021#2012022#2702023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4342018#9542019#9352022

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#6032021#5292022#4452023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#6652021#5072022#3882023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4402021#4632022#7462023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3992021#4192022#4152023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6612017#4302018#3332021

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5012020#4142022#5952023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#4972017#4902019#6532021

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3992019#4562020#3922022

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6172021#8212022#4632023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5142021#8022022#6062023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#6432020#3182021#3662023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5982021#4702022#5992023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4112016#3152017#4802021

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#9112018#3802019#6362021

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4782021#3962022#5962023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#2412017#4152018#3802020

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1242015#2062016#2682019

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3182007#2812008#2712014

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1181999#1432000#2652005

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4752021#3182022#2882023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#2202013#1722019#2122020

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1882011#2742014#2472017

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3842014#6222018#6092020

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1182020#3332021#3502023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3572014#3102016#3592017

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1852005#1612006#2712014

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1312003#2072016#1902018

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1782001#2082002#1972006

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2182005#2352011#2432013

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2272007#1162013#1712018

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1572009#1132011#2272014

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#681996#881997#671998

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#841999#1022001#1092003

Popularity Rankings for Michelle in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#502009#212013#372016

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#432000#402001#482002

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#751998#751999#852000

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#792020#752021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#942003#2322022#3132023

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#1192021#1152022#1292023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1161995#1271997#1941998

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1202015#1942016#1902018

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1341970#1621971#1791972

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1882006#1972008#1452009

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1882019#1602020#1552021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1972012#3222013#2632014

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2332021#2382022#1992023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2222017#4332018#3902019

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2322021#3022022#2742023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2842013#4242019#2372023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2452020#3502021#3782022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3582021#3262022#2842023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#5862021#2842022#3162023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3202021#2842022#3402023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2892017#3012018#3422023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4802019#3932020#4762021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#4682019#7642020#6002021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Michelle a Name for Boys or Girls?

Michelle is a feminine name. Its association with the French feminine form has solidified its use primarily for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Michelle

Michelle in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Michelle Pfeiffer (Actress, born 1958): An American actress acclaimed for her roles in films like "Scarface" and "Dangerous Liaisons."
  • Michelle Williams (Actress, born 1980): An American actress known for her performances in "Dawson's Creek" and "Brokeback Mountain."
  • Michelle Rodriguez (Actress, born 1978): An American actress recognized for her roles in "The Fast and the Furious" franchise and "Avatar."
  • Michelle Kwan (Figure Skater, born 1980): An American figure skater who is a two-time Olympic medalist and five-time World Champion.
  • Michelle Yeoh (Actress, born 1962): A Malaysian actress famous for her roles in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Crazy Rich Asians."
  • Michelle Dockery (Actress, born 1981): A British actress best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the TV series "Downton Abbey."
  • Michelle Obama ("Becoming," 2018 Memoir): Chronicles the life and achievements of the former First Lady of the United States.
  • Michelle Tanner ("Full House," 1987 TV Series): The adorable youngest Tanner sister known for her cute catchphrases.
  • Michelle Pfeiffer ("Scarface," 1983 Film): Portrays Elvira Hancock, a glamorous but troubled woman involved with a notorious drug lord.
  • "Michelle" (1965 Song by The Beatles): A romantic ballad celebrating a woman named Michelle.
  • Michelle Rodriguez ("Fast & Furious," 2001 Film Series): Plays Letty Ortiz, a fearless street racer and Dominic Toretto's love interest.
  • Michelle ("Michelle's Garden," 2017 Children's Book): A story about a young girl named Michelle who discovers the joys of gardening.
  • Michelle Dockery ("Downton Abbey," 2010 TV Series): Stars as Lady Mary Crawley, a strong-willed and complex aristocrat.
  • Saint-Michelle Village (Quebec, Canada): A small village in the province of Quebec, noted for its quaint charm and cultural heritage.
  • Michelle Falls (Ontario, Canada): A scenic waterfall located in northern Ontario, popular for its picturesque views.
  • Michelle Island (British Columbia, Canada): An island off the coast of British Columbia, offering natural beauty and wildlife observation.
  • Michelle Park (Texas, USA): A public park in Houston, featuring recreational facilities and green spaces.
  • Sainte-Michelle Parish (New Brunswick, Canada): A parish in the province of New Brunswick, characterized by its rural landscapes and community events.
  • Michelle Valley (Alaska, USA): A valley in the state of Alaska, offering stunning landscapes and outdoor activities.
  • Michelle Beach (Florida, USA): A beach located in Miami, known for its pristine sand and vibrant atmosphere.

Similar Names to Michelle

Sibling Names for Michelle