Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mikhail
BoyRussian, Hebrew· “who is like God”
- Meaning
- who is like God
- Origin
- Russian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- mih-KAYL
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,884
- US babies 2025
- 84
- Best rank
- #956 (1990)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Mikhail
Mikhail is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “who is like God”.
Mikhail is the Russian form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikhael, meaning who is like God. The archangel Michael is honored in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions. The name has been borne by many notable Russians, including the poet Mikhail Lermontov, the writer Mikhail Bulgakov and the dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. It has a dignified, classic feel. Misha is the traditional Russian nickname. In Russian the stress falls on the final syllable, while English speakers usually say mih-KAYL.
Popularity over time
Mikhail first appears in US Social Security records in 1968. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1988. Its best national rank was #956 in 1990, and the most babies received it in 2015, when 143 were named Mikhail. In 2025, 84 babies were named Mikhail, and it ranked #1,884 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,337 in 1980, #1,623 in 2000, #1,413 in 2010, and #1,884 in 2025. Of the 4,134 US boys named Mikhail since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 986 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Eder, Salman, Aamir, Elam, and Phineas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mikhail ranked highest in Massachusetts, Florida, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #862 | 5 |
| Florida | #1175 | 11 |
| California | #1554 | 11 |
| New York | #1952 | 5 |
| Texas | #2829 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Mikhail is usually pronounced mih-KAYL, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-il”.
Middle names for Mikhail
A few middle names that flow with Mikhail: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mikhail
Similar names
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Micheal Boy
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eh-frah-EEN
“fruitful” · Spanish
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Lists that include Mikhail
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mikhail mean?
Mikhail is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “who is like God”.
What is the origin of the name Mikhail?
Mikhail has Russian and Hebrew roots. Mikhail is the Russian form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikhael, meaning who is like God.
Is Mikhail a popular name?
Not especially. Mikhail ranked #1,884 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mikhail a boy or girl name?
Mikhail is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Mikhail?
Mikhail is usually pronounced mih-KAYL. 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