Girl name · Hebrew
Michelle
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: who is like GodMichelle is a girl's name that comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God". It is used in Spanish, English and French.
- Meaning
- Who is like God
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #465 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Michelle
As a girl's name, Michelle comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God". It is used in Spanish, English and French.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Michelle on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Michelle on 2 lists.
“Who is like God? French feminine of Michel”
From Angelic names, archangel names for girls
“Who is like God; Hebrew. French feminine of Michel”
From Mexican girl names, modern Mexican baby girl names
How popular is Michelle?
- US rank in 2025
- #465
- 661 babies, 411 per million girls
- Best rank
- #2 in 1968
- Most babies: 34,319 in 1969
- Babies since 1915
- At least 816,510
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 2 per million |
| 1920s | 8 per million |
| 1930s | 27 per million |
| 1940s | 393 per million |
| 1950s | 2,432 per million |
| 1960s | 11,404 per million |
| 1970s | 16,123 per million |
| 1980s | 8,968 per million |
| 1990s | 4,806 per million |
| 2000s | 2,356 per million |
| 2010s | 992 per million |
| 2020s | 488 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #209 | #217 | #263 | #292 | #336 | #395 | #377 | #401 | #409 | #465 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Nicknames for Michelle
Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.
- Shellycommon English nickname
- Michcommon English nickname
Other forms of Michelle
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- MichelaWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- MichèleWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- MickeyWho is like God (Hebrew, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
- MichaelWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MicaelaWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- MicahWho is like Yahweh? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichaelaWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- MiguelWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MikaelaWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- AkulinaLike an eagle (Latin, girl)
- AyçaLike the moon (Turkish, girl)
- CassiaCassia, a cinnamon-like spice tree (Greek, girl)
- JaydenVariant of Jaden, a modern coinage like Hayden and Aidan (English, boy)
- Jean-MichelGod is gracious, plus who is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- João MiguelGod is gracious, who is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- José MiguelHe will add, who is like God (Hebrew, boy)
- Luis MiguelFamous warrior, who is like God? (Germanic and Hebrew, boy)
- MahsaLike the moon (Persian, girl)
Middle names for Michelle
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Hebrew
- AnnaFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- EvaLiving, life (Hebrew, girl)
- MiriamForm of Mary, meaning uncertain; perhaps Egyptian beloved (Hebrew, girl)
- SarahPrincess, noblewoman (Hebrew, girl)
- EliseGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- LisaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- AnneFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- DanielaGod is my judge (Hebrew, girl)
- ElsaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- HannahFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- IsabelGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- IsabellaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
- JudithWoman of judea (Hebrew, girl)
- LiaItalian, Portuguese and Greek form of Leah (Hebrew, girl)
- SaraPrincess, noblewoman (Hebrew, girl)
- AnaFavor, grace (Hebrew, girl)
- ArielLion of God (Hebrew, unisex)
- ElisaGod is my oath (Hebrew, girl)
Michelle: common questions
What does the name Michelle mean?
Michelle comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God".
Is Michelle a boy or girl name?
Michelle is mainly a girl's name.
What are nicknames for Michelle?
Common nicknames for Michelle include Shelly and Mich.
How popular is the name Michelle?
Michelle ranked #465 in the US in 2025, with 661 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Michelle?
Forms of Michelle with the same meaning and origin include Michela (Italian), Michèle (French) and Mickey (English).
What middle names go with Michelle?
Middle names that flow well with Michelle include Agnes, Bess, Eve, Ione and Jade. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.