Is Michele a boy's or girl's name?

Michele is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 2,763 recorded births.

When was Michele most popular?

Michele reached its peak popularity in 1968 with 11,219 births that year. It is currently ranked #4156 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Michele?

Michele is currently ranked #4156 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 223,268 babies since 1915.

Michele

An uncommon French pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysFrenchDeclining Also a pet name

#4156▲ 1177in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A unisex given name A female given name from French [in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Michelle, anglicized form of French Michèle, a French spelling variant of Michelle. A male given name from the Romance languages [in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Michael.

Michele is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, an anglicized form of the French Michèle — the feminine form of Michel (Michael), from the Hebrew Mikha'el meaning "who is like God?" Michele became a popular American spelling of Michelle in the mid-20th century.

Michele was in the U.S. top 30 girls' names from the 1950s through the 1970s. The Beatles' "Michelle" (1965) — one of the most covered songs in history — gave both spellings an enduring musical romance. Michele Pfeiffer and Michelle Obama represent two very different but equally compelling images of the name's range.

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Popularity Over Time

Michele was #1159 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4156, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Michele
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	149	#4715	▼
2010s	519	#3371	▼
2000s	1,716	#1422	▼
1990s	6,014	#501	▼
1980s	17,263	#170	▼
1970s	56,558	#59	▼
1960s	86,992	#51	▲
1950s	41,973	#103	▲
1940s	11,606	#271	▲
1930s	317	#1772	▲
1920s	122	#3025	▲
1910s	39	#3772	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(110 years, 1915–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Michele
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	35	#4156	+11 (45.8%)
2023	24	#5333	-9 (-27.3%)
2022	33	#4346	+11 (50.0%)
2021	22	#5688	-13 (-37.1%)
2020	35	#4054	+7 (25.0%)
2019	28	#4858	-3 (-9.7%)
2018	31	#4528	-5 (-13.9%)
2017	36	#4125	-24 (-40.0%)
2016	60	#2853	-1 (-1.6%)
2015	61	#2876	+13 (27.1%)
2014	48	#3356	-15 (-23.8%)
2013	63	#2754	+1 (1.6%)
2012	62	#2825	+4 (6.9%)
2011	58	#2980	-14 (-19.4%)
2010	72	#2556	-16 (-18.2%)
2009	88	#2237	-9 (-9.3%)
2008	97	#2099	-10 (-9.3%)
2007	107	#1932	-42 (-28.2%)
2006	149	#1485	+2 (1.4%)
2005	147	#1450	-49 (-25.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Michele as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Michele has also been given to 2,763 boys in the U.S. since 1905.

Unranked

Current rank

2,763

Total births

1969

Peak year

Compare Michele as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Michele be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Michele is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #4156. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Michele has two lives

Michele, the baby name

#4156girls

223,268 babies

Currently viewing

Michele, the pet name

#20799pet name

2 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1915–2024) · Methodology