Mykal
Primarily a boy's name with 1,164 recorded births. Also given to 332 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of Michael
Mykal is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, an alternate spelling of Michael, from the Hebrew Mikha'el meaning 'who is like God?' The -kal spelling gives this classic name a more distinctive, modern look on paper.
Michael has ranked in the U.S. top 10 for most of the 20th century — Mykal carries all of that historic strength with a spelling that sets it apart.
EtymologyShow more
Mykal appeared in SSA records in 1972, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. The absence of a clear traditional origin is itself a signal: this may be a name that was created rather than inherited.
Mykal’s 1,164 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mykal was #2626 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #13561, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 57 | #8382 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 179 | #5707 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 395 | #2855 | — |
| 1990s | 412 | #2098 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 109 | #4405 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 12 | #5196 | — |
The Story of Mykal
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Mykal is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Mykal are most likely born between 1991 and 2011.
How rare is Mykal?
Only about 1 in every 720,000 babies born in 2024 was named Mykal — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1990s with 412 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Mykal by the numbers
- Would fill 24 school buses
- Meeting one Mykal per day would take 3.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(46 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | #13561 |
| 2023 | 11 | #7592 |
| 2022 | 14 | #6375 |
| 2021 | 8 | #9410 |
| 2020 | 19 | #4973 |
| 2019 | 12 | #7043 |
| 2018 | 8 | #9391 |
| 2017 | 10 | #7959 |
| 2016 | 16 | #5703 |
| 2015 | 23 | #4368 |
| 2014 | 24 | #4217 |
| 2013 | 17 | #5322 |
| 2012 | 26 | #3973 |
| 2011 | 20 | #4773 |
| 2010 | 23 | #4324 |
| 2009 | 26 | #3998 |
| 2008 | 36 | #3202 |
| 2007 | 26 | #3970 |
| 2006 | 37 | #3013 |
| 2005 | 43 | #2597 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Mykal as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Mykal has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 332 births since 1975.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mykal a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mykal most popular?
How popular is the name Mykal?
Can Mykal be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024