Mykael
Primarily a boy's name of Hebrew origin with 537 recorded births. Also given to 126 girls.
Meaning & Origin
When Mykael hit its peak of 30 births in 2010, social media, global pop culture, and a growing appetite for unique names were reshaping how American parents chose names.
Mykael has carried that momentum forward and remains a live choice today.
In the most recent SSA release, Mykael ranks #6687 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Mykael is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a phonetic variant of Michael — from the Hebrew Mikha'el, meaning 'who is like God?' The My- spelling is a modern American reinvention that gives the archangel's name a more individualized visual identity.
Mykael keeps the divine rhetorical question of Michael's etymology while ensuring this child's name looks unlike the dozens of Michaels around them. The Y makes it immediately distinctive on paper.
EtymologyShow more
Mykael is built from 6 letters and two syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Hebrew naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Mykael creates its characteristic resonant, angelic quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mykael was #4546 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #6687, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 56 | #7767 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 150 | #6864 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 188 | #4708 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 115 | #5557 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 28 | #5059 | — |
The Story of Mykael
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2010, Mykael is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Mykael are most likely born between 2000 and 2020.
How rare is Mykael?
Only about 1 in every 276,923 babies born in 2024 was named Mykael — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1986, peaked in the 2000s with 188 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mykael by the numbers
- Would fill 11 school buses
- Meeting one Mykael per day would take 1.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(38 years, 1986–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 | #6687 |
| 2023 | 7 | #10445 |
| 2022 | 10 | #8115 |
| 2021 | 10 | #7968 |
| 2020 | 16 | #5618 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8660 |
| 2018 | 6 | #11713 |
| 2017 | 7 | #10440 |
| 2016 | 18 | #5259 |
| 2015 | 15 | #5906 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7384 |
| 2013 | 17 | #5321 |
| 2012 | 15 | #5893 |
| 2011 | 22 | #4456 |
| 2010 | 30 | #3604 |
| 2009 | 25 | #4130 |
| 2008 | 15 | #5974 |
| 2007 | 19 | #4927 |
| 2006 | 19 | #4805 |
| 2005 | 15 | #5485 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mykael as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Mykael has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 126 births since 1990.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mykael a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mykael most popular?
How popular is the name Mykael?
Can Mykael be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1986–2024