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

Mikael is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 300 recorded births.

When was Mikael most popular?

Mikael reached its peak popularity in 2023 with 223 births that year. It is currently ranked #1132 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Mikael?

Mikael is currently ranked #1132 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 5,761 babies since 1944.

Mikael

An uncommon Swedish pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsSwedishDeclining

#1132▼ 143in 2024

Meaning & Origin

Michael.

Mikael is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scandinavian origin, the Nordic form of Michael, from Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning 'who is like God?' — an expression of divine incomparability.

Standard in Sweden, Norway, and Finland, Mikael carries a clean Nordic distinction from the anglicized Michael. It gained significant cultural exposure through Mikael Blomkvist, the journalist protagonist of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy. For parents who love the timeless meaning of Michael but want something more internationally styled, Mikael is a compelling choice.

Compare Mikael with another name

Popularity Over Time

Mikael climbed 292 spots in the last 20 years — from #1424 to #1132.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Mikael
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	991	#1073	▼
2010s	1,683	#1141	▲
2000s	1,085	#1379	▲
1990s	852	#1277	▲
1980s	571	#1326	▲
1970s	278	#1824	▲
1960s	137	#2487	▲
1950s	130	#2420	▲
1940s	34	#3308	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(80 years, 1944–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Mikael
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	187	#1132	-36 (-16.1%)
2023	223	#989	+32 (16.8%)
2022	191	#1116	-13 (-6.4%)
2021	204	#1051	+18 (9.7%)
2020	186	#1075	-22 (-10.6%)
2019	208	#1006	+44 (26.8%)
2018	164	#1172	-29 (-15.0%)
2017	193	#1045	-22 (-10.2%)
2016	215	#961	+57 (36.1%)
2015	158	#1181	+8 (5.3%)
2014	150	#1222	-12 (-7.4%)
2013	162	#1125	-2 (-1.2%)
2012	164	#1123	+31 (23.3%)
2011	133	#1293	-3 (-2.2%)
2010	136	#1280	+18 (15.3%)
2009	118	#1430	-14 (-10.6%)
2008	132	#1323	0
2007	132	#1309	+9 (7.3%)
2006	123	#1338	+23 (23.0%)
2005	100	#1469	0

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

Mikael as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Mikael has also been given to 300 girls in the U.S. since 1972.

Unranked

Current rank

300

Total births

1998

Peak year

Compare Mikael as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Mikael be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Mikael is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1132. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1944–2024) · Methodology