Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Michel
UnisexFrench, Hebrew· “French form of Michael: who is like God?”
- Meaning
- French form of Michael: who is like God?
- Origin
- French, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- mee-SHEHL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,642
- US babies 2025
- 22
- Best rank
- #458 (1957)
- Peak year
- 1957
Meaning and origin of Michel
Michel is a French and Hebrew name that means “French form of Michael: who is like God?”.
Michel is the French form of Michael, from Hebrew Mikha'el, usually translated as the question who is like God. The archangel Michael, venerated as a saint and protector, made the name popular across Christian Europe. In France, Michel is masculine, while Michelle is the feminine form; in English-speaking countries the spelling Michel is occasionally used for girls. Famous bearers include the essayist Michel de Montaigne and the philosopher Michel Foucault. The French pronunciation is mee-SHEHL, with the stress at the end. It gives a continental polish to one of the most familiar names in English.
Other spellings with the same sound: Michelle, Michele.
Popularity over time
Michel has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 57 different years. Its best national rank was #458 in 1957, the same year it reached its highest count of 284 babies. In 2025, 22 babies were named Michel, and it ranked #4,642 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,410 in 1920, #484 in 1950, #917 in 1980, #1,776 in 2000, #2,856 in 2010, and #4,642 in 2025. Of the 10,539 US boys named Michel since records began, 22% were born in the 1950s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 2,032 babies. Since 2010, 484 more have been named Michel.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Audie, Kirby, Jaye, and Carey.
Gender, sound and spelling
Michel is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 36% of US babies named Michel were girls and 64% were boys.
Michel is usually pronounced mee-SHEHL, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-el”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Michelle and Michele.
Middle names for Michel
A few middle names that flow with Michel: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Michel
Similar names
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Lists that include Michel
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Michel mean?
Michel is a French and Hebrew name that means “French form of Michael: who is like God?”.
What is the origin of the name Michel?
Michel has French and Hebrew roots. Michel is the French form of Michael, from Hebrew Mikha'el, usually translated as the question who is like God.
Is Michel a popular name?
Not especially. Michel ranked #4,642 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Michel a boy or girl name?
Michel is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 36% of US babies named Michel were girls and 64% were boys.
How do you pronounce Michel?
Michel is usually pronounced mee-SHEHL. 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