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

Mikel is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 995 recorded births.

When was Mikel most popular?

Mikel reached its peak popularity in 2004 with 201 births that year. It is currently ranked #1796 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Mikel?

Mikel is currently ranked #1796 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 11,476 babies since 1882.

Mikel

An uncommon Basque pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsBasqueDeclining

#1796▼ 169in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A male given name from Basque, equivalent to English Michael.

Mikel is a boy's and girl's baby name of Basque origin, the Basque form of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el meaning 'who is like God?' — a rhetorical question that affirms God's uniqueness. The Basque form Mikel is also used in Scandinavian countries as an alternate spelling.

Over 11,475 U.S. births are recorded. Mikel carries the universally beloved heritage of Michael in a form that signals Basque, Northern European, or simply a desire for a fresh visual take on a classic.

Compare Mikel with another name

Popularity Over Time

Mikel was #872 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1796, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Mikel
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	544	#1599	▼
2010s	1,516	#1219	▼
2000s	1,805	#967	▲
1990s	1,699	#828	▲
1980s	1,438	#755	▲
1970s	1,261	#740	▲
1960s	1,144	#718	▼
1950s	1,503	#611	▲
1940s	430	#1174	▲
1930s	50	#3070	▲
1920s	46	#3920	▲
1910s	35	#3382	▲
1880s	5	#1045	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(104 years, 1882–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Mikel
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	91	#1796	-16 (-15.0%)
2023	107	#1627	-9 (-7.8%)
2022	116	#1544	+5 (4.5%)
2021	111	#1571	-8 (-6.7%)
2020	119	#1458	-2 (-1.7%)
2019	121	#1447	-33 (-21.4%)
2018	154	#1217	+16 (11.6%)
2017	138	#1310	-8 (-5.5%)
2016	146	#1258	-3 (-2.0%)
2015	149	#1229	-16 (-9.7%)
2014	165	#1149	+10 (6.5%)
2013	155	#1164	-2 (-1.3%)
2012	157	#1165	-2 (-1.3%)
2011	159	#1139	-13 (-7.6%)
2010	172	#1112	+6 (3.6%)
2009	166	#1116	-16 (-8.8%)
2008	182	#1045	-2 (-1.1%)
2007	184	#1025	-4 (-2.1%)
2006	188	#992	+7 (3.9%)
2005	181	#966	-20 (-10.0%)

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

Mikel as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Mikel has also been given to 995 girls in the U.S. since 1936.

Unranked

Current rank

995

Total births

1982

Peak year

Compare Mikel as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Mikel be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Mikel is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1796. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1882–2024) · Methodology