Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Michaela
GirlHebrew, Latin· “who is like God?”
- Meaning
- who is like God?
- Origin
- Hebrew, Latin
- Pronunciation
- mih-KAY-luh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #843
- US babies 2025
- 323
- Best rank
- #100 (1997)
- Peak year
- 1997
Meaning and origin of Michaela
Michaela is a Hebrew and Latin name that means “who is like God?”.
Michaela is the feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el, a question meaning who is like God. In the Bible Michael is an archangel, a protector figure honored in Jewish, Christian and Islamic tradition. Michaela is used in English, German, Czech and other languages, and in English it is commonly said mih-KAY-luh. Variants include Mikaela, Makayla and the French Michelle. The name has a soft, lyrical sound with strong roots, and Kayla and Mickey are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Michaella.
Popularity over time
Michaela first appears in US Social Security records in 1921. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 55 different years, starting in 1967. Its best national rank was #100 in 1997, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,398 babies. In 2025, 323 babies were named Michaela, and it ranked #843 nationally. That is 50% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,544 in 1950, #665 in 1980, #154 in 2000, #391 in 2010, and #843 in 2025. Of the 53,633 US girls named Michaela since records began, 43% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 13,086 babies. Since 2010, 9,386 more have been named Michaela.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Angelica, Mikayla, Caitlyn, Autumn, and Summer.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Michaela ranked highest in New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #441 | 18 |
| New York | #491 | 35 |
| Massachusetts | #603 | 9 |
| Maryland | #635 | 8 |
| Arkansas | #635 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Michaela is usually pronounced mih-KAY-luh, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Michaella.
Middle names for Michaela
A few middle names that flow with Michaela: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Michaela
Similar names
Angela Girl
AN-juh-luh
“angel, messenger” · Latin
#408
Gabriella Girl
gab-ree-EL-uh
“God is my strength” · Italian
#105
Makayla Girl
muh-KAY-luh
“modern form of Michaela; who is like God?” · American (modern coinage)
#568
Gabriela Girl
gah-bree-EL-uh
“God is my strength” · Spanish
#317
Mikayla Girl
mih-KAY-luh
“who is like God” · Hebrew
#748
Daniella Girl
dan-YEHL-uh
“God is my judge” · Hebrew
#468
Camilla Girl
kuh-MIH-luh
“from a Roman family name, perhaps 'young attendant'” · Latin
#361
Estrella Girl
ehs-TREH-yuh
“star” · Spanish
#612
Mariah Girl
muh-RY-uh
“form of Maria, meaning uncertain” · Hebrew
#448
Gabrielle Girl
GA-bree-ehl
“God is my strength” · French
#633
Joanna Girl
joh-AN-uh
“God is gracious” · Latin
#306
Priscilla Girl
prih-SIH-luh
“ancient” · Latin
#544
Lists that include Michaela
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Michaela mean?
Michaela is a Hebrew and Latin name that means “who is like God?”.
What is the origin of the name Michaela?
Michaela has Hebrew and Latin roots. Michaela is the feminine form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el, a question meaning who is like God.
Is Michaela a popular name?
Yes. Michaela ranked #843 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Michaela a boy or girl name?
Michaela is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Michaela?
Michaela is usually pronounced mih-KAY-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings