Michael

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For other uses, see Michael (disambiguation).

The given name Michael or Micha'el (מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל "he who is like God" or "likened unto God", see List of names referring to El; Arabic ميخائيل , Standard Hebrew Miḫaʾel, Latin Michael, Michaèl or Míchaël, Tiberian Hebrew Mîḵāʾēl; Septuagint Greek Μιχαηλ, Mikhaēl. Portuguese or Spanish Miguel) For translations of the name Michael into other languages, see the Michael entry in Wiktionary.

Michael in Hebrew and Aramaic means: who is like God?, Michael->"Mi[n] Cha el"

Michael is a popular male name in nearly all European countries, as well as many former colonies of European countries, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many Caribbean and African countries, as well as Israel. Miguel is a popular name in most Latin American countries. The name has been particularly popular in Orthodox Christian countries, and was borne by several rulers of the Byzantine and Russian empires. In English it is sometimes shortened to Mike or Mick. In the United States, Michael has been one of the top three baby names for boys for the past 50 years.

The name first appears in the Bible, Numbers 13 verse 13, where Sethur the son of Michael is one of twelve spies sent into the Land of Canaan.

The Archangel Michael, referred to later in the Bible (Daniel 12 verse 1), is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. September 29 is the feast day of the three archangels, Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

The female form of Michael is Michelle or Michaela, though there are females with the name of Michael. Surnames that come from Michael are Michaels, Michaelson, Mitchell and Carmichael.

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