34 Variations of Michael

The bright, playful Micah feels like the middle ground between the safe, solid qualities of Michael and the flair and energy of Luca. Both Biblical and stylish, Micah is proving popular among parents today.

Michael was the Number 1 American boys' name for almost half a century. While Michael has moved out of the Top 10 baby boy names, it's still widely used.

One of the most familiar Russian names in the West, thanks to ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov and state head Mikhail Gorbachev.

Mike Tyson put a twist on his own name by naming a son Miguel. It's the first name of Cervantes, the great Spanish novelist and poet who wrote Don Quixote.

Though the Mischa spelling is migrating toward the feminine side thanks to actress Mischa Barton, this Russian boys' short form still works for children of both sexes, as Mischa or Misha.

Michal may be one of several Eastern European forms of Michael, though there is a biblical Michal who is female, the daughter of Saul and wife of David.

A common name in its native Greece, Michalis is a nickname for Michail, the Greek form of Michael. This nickname form is used much more often than the formal Michail in day-to-day life. It can also be transliterated as Mihalis.

One of the few Italian forms less attractive than the original, this time because it will forever be mistaken with the feminine version.

While the (male) French form is pronounced in English like the girls' name Michelle and the German form had a hard k-like sound in the middle, this variation of Michael is distinguished by being used evenly for girls and boys in the U.S. For either gender, though, pronunciation issues will dominate.

Mica is not the same name -- though it sounds the same -- as Micah, but the h makes it feel more masculine.

Cute Finnish version of Michael.

The many names connected more by letter and sound than by root -- Micha, Micah, Mica, Misha, Mischa, Michal, and of course Michael -- can get very confusion, and this variation is sure to cause pronunciation problems in the US. Hard or soft ch? Long or short i? Better stick with Micah, Misha...or Michael.

Brought into the American consciousness as the nickname of ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov, it more recently took on a unisex air via TV and screen actress Mischa Barton. Could become the next Sasha.

Brought into the American consciousness as the nickname of ballet great Mikhail Baryshnikov, it more recently took on a unisex air via TV and screen actress Mischa Barton. Could become the next Sasha.

Meical is the Welsh form of Michael, a masculine name with Hebrew origins meaning 'Who is like God?' This question is rhetorical, implying that no one is like God. Pronounced roughly as 'MAY-cal', it represents the unique way Welsh language adapted the biblical name to suit its phonetic patterns. While Michael has been one of the most enduringly popular names across Western cultures, Meical remains relatively uncommon outside Wales, giving it a distinctive cultural resonance. The name carries strong connections to Welsh heritage and language traditions, making it particularly meaningful for families with Welsh roots. Its biblical origins combined with its Celtic form create a name that bridges ancient traditions with cultural specificity.

A Basque and Scandinavian form of Michael, pronounced MEE-kel. In the US, it is sometimes chosen as a modern alternative spelling of Michael.

This variation of Michael is very popular in Iceland and Puerto Rico, but has only made the cut for the US Top 1000 two separate years —2016 and 2023. Angel-esque boy names ending in L trended upwards last year, meaning we may see some more little Mikaels around soon.

This variation of Michael is very popular in Iceland and Puerto Rico, but has only made the cut for the US Top 1000 two separate years —2016 and 2023. Angel-esque boy names ending in L trended upwards last year, meaning we may see some more little Mikaels around soon.

Mícheál is the traditional Irish Gaelic form of Michael, a masculine name with ancient Hebrew origins meaning 'who is like God?' The name features the distinctive accent mark (fada) over the 'i' which indicates a long vowel sound in Irish pronunciation (approximately pronounced 'MEE-hawl'). This name carries deep cultural significance in Ireland, where it has been popular for centuries, particularly in Irish-speaking regions. Mícheál represents a strong connection to Irish heritage and language traditions. While less common internationally than the anglicized Michael, it remains an important cultural name that honors Irish linguistic traditions while maintaining its connection to the biblical archangel Michael.

Unless you're Nordic, probably best to stick with Michael if you want to avoid a life of confusion and misspelling.