Boy name · Hebrew
Mikhail
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: who is like God?Mikhail is a boy's name that comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God?". It is used in Russian.
- Meaning
- Who is like God?
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Gender
- Boy
- Say it
- mee-kha-EEL
Meaning and origin of Mikhail
As a boy's name, Mikhail comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God?". It is used in Russian.
Say it mee-kha-EEL. In Russian, say mee-khah-EEL. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Mikhail on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Mikhail on 3 lists.
“Who is like God? Russian form of Michael. Say mee-kha-EEL”
From Angelic names, archangel names for boys
“Who is like God?; Hebrew. Russian form of Michael. Say mee-kha-EEL”
From Old man names, grandpa names from around the world
“Who is like God?; Hebrew. Diminutive Misha. Say mee-khah-EEL”
From Russian boy names, biblical Russian boy names
How popular is Mikhail?
- US rank in 2025
- #1,884
- 84 babies, 49 per million boys
- Best rank
- #956 in 1990
- Most babies: 143 in 2015
- Babies since 1968
- At least 4,134
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 0 per million |
| 1950s | 0 per million |
| 1960s | 0 per million |
| 1970s | 4 per million |
| 1980s | 25 per million |
| 1990s | 41 per million |
| 2000s | 49 per million |
| 2010s | 65 per million |
| 2020s | 57 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,384 | #1,446 | #1,512 | #1,669 | #1,552 | #1,391 | #1,847 | #1,763 | #1,914 | #1,884 |
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 Mikhail
Established short forms and pet names, not made-up ones.
- Mishacommon Russian nickname
Other forms of Mikhail
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- MichaelWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichailWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichałWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichalisWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MícheálWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichelWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MicheleWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichielWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MickaëlWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MiguelWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MikaelWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
- MikailWho is like God? (Hebrew, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- MicaelaWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- MichelleWho is like God (Hebrew, girl)
- MicahWho is like Yahweh? (Hebrew, boy)
- MichaelaWho is like God? (Hebrew, girl)
- 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)
Middle names for Mikhail
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Hebrew
- AdamMan, humankind (Hebrew, boy)
- DavidBeloved one (Hebrew, boy)
- DanielGod is my judge (Hebrew, boy)
- NoahRest, repose (Hebrew, boy)
- EliasMy God is Yahweh (Hebrew, boy)
- GabrielGod is my strength (Hebrew, boy)
- AxelMy father is peace (Hebrew, boy)
- BenjaminSon of the right hand (Hebrew, boy)
- IsaacHe will laugh (Hebrew, boy)
- JanGod is gracious (Hebrew, boy)
Mikhail: common questions
What does the name Mikhail mean?
Mikhail comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God?".
Is Mikhail a boy or girl name?
Mikhail is mainly a boy's name.
What are nicknames for Mikhail?
Common nicknames for Mikhail include Misha.
How do you pronounce Mikhail?
Say mee-kha-EEL. In Russian, say mee-khah-EEL. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
How popular is the name Mikhail?
Mikhail ranked #1,884 in the US in 2025, with 84 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Mikhail?
Forms of Mikhail with the same meaning and origin include Michael (English), Michail (Greek), Michał (Polish), Michalis (Greek) and Mícheál (Irish).
What middle names go with Mikhail?
Middle names that flow well with Mikhail include Abel, Ford, John, Lamar and Levi. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.