34 Variations of Michael

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Cute Finnish version of Michael.

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

Along with Mika, a nickname for Mikael.

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.

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.

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.

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

The cute Romanian form of Michael, Mihai is a popular name with a lot of historical significance in Romania — the most famous figure being Mihai the Brave, one of Romania’s greatest national heroes.

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

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

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.

Mikhos is a masculine name with Greek influences, possibly functioning as a variant or diminutive form of Michael, which means 'who is like God?' in Hebrew. While not among the most common Greek names, it carries the melodic quality characteristic of Greek nomenclature. The name has a distinctive, somewhat exotic sound to Western ears while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce. Mikhos maintains connections to the immensely popular Michael while offering something more unusual and distinctive. It might appeal to parents seeking a name with Greek heritage or those looking for an uncommon alternative to Michael that still carries similar roots. The name's rarity gives a child named Mikhos a unique identity while still having connections to a recognizable naming tradition.