Michael
Encyclopedia
Michael is a given name
that comes from the (Mikha'el), derived from the Hebrew
question מי כמו אלוהים? (mi kəmo ʔelohim) meaning "Who is like God?" In English, it is sometimes shortened to Mike, Mikey, or, especially in Ireland, Mick. In Russian language, it is Mikhail and Mykhailo in Ukrainian.
Michael
is one of the Archangel
s.
Female forms of Michael include Michele, Michelle, Michaela
, Mechelle, Micheline, and Michaelle, although Michael is occasionally seen as a female name, with women named Michael including actresses Michael Learned
and Michael Michele
. Another form is Mychal, which can either be a male or female name. Surnames that come from Michael include Carmichael, Dimichele, MacMichael
, McMichael, Micallef
, Michaelson
, Mikhaylov, Mykhaylenko, Michaels
and Mitchell
.
, Numbers
, where Sethur the son of Michael is one of twelve spies sent into the Land of Canaan
. The Archangel
Michael
, referred to later in the Bible (Daniel
), is considered a saint
by the Roman Catholic Church
and Eastern Orthodox Church
. 29 September is the feast day
of the three archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
. The name has been popular in Orthodox Christian
countries, and was borne by several rulers of the Byzantine
and Russian Empire
s. In recent years, Michael has been the most popular name in the Philippines, the second most popular name in Finland (Mikael) and ranks among the top ten names in Denmark (Mikkel) and Ireland. It is the 23rd most popular name in Canada, and the 37th most popular in Mexico (in the form of 'Miguel').
The Irish language version of the name Michael is usually spelt Mícheál but is also sometimes spelt Micheál or simply Micheal. Meik and Maik are German short forms of Michael. The German pronunciation of both variants is identical to the English pronunciation of "Mike", since both are directly derived from their English counterparts. Similarly, the Welsh versions "Meical" and "Meic" are pronounced in the same way as their corresponding English analogues. Michiel (mee-KHEEL) is Dutch and the Dutch given name "Chiel" is a variation of Michiel. Mikael, Mikell, Mikkel are Scandinavian. In Swedish, "Micke" is a nickname for "Mikael" (also spelt "Michael").
In Greek "Μιχάλης" ("Michalis" or "Mihalis") is an everyday common form of the "Μιχαήλ" ("Michail" or "Mihail"). "Miķelis" is the Latvian form for Michael. In Russian, "Миша" ("Mischa" or "Misha") is a shortened form of "Михаил" (Mikhail). "Мишка" (Mishka) is a common diminutive form, "Миха" (Mikha) is an informal shortened form, and "Михайлович" (Mikhaylovich) is a patronymic
form that can be shortened to more informal "Михалыч" (Mikhalych). Michal is Czech and Slovak. Michał is Polish; Miko is Slavic. Mëhill or Mhill is the Albanian for Michael. The first belongs to the southern (Tosk) dialect, the second to the northern (Gheg) dialect.
In Hebrew, "מיכה" (Mikha) is a common shortened form of "מיכאל" (Mikha'el). In Arabic," میکائیل" (Mikā'īl).
Miquel (or Quelo in its shortened version) is the Catalan form for Michael.
Miguel is a Spanish and Portuguese form; Michel is French and popular in the Netherlands. In French, both forms are popular: Michel and Mickaël.
Given name
A given name, in Western contexts often referred to as a first name, is a personal name that specifies and differentiates between members of a group of individuals, especially in a family, all of whose members usually share the same family name...
that comes from the (Mikha'el), derived from the Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
question מי כמו אלוהים? (mi kəmo ʔelohim) meaning "Who is like God?" In English, it is sometimes shortened to Mike, Mikey, or, especially in Ireland, Mick. In Russian language, it is Mikhail and Mykhailo in Ukrainian.
Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
is one of the Archangel
Archangel
An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
s.
Female forms of Michael include Michele, Michelle, Michaela
Michaela
Michaela is a feminine given name. It is a feminine form of the Hebrew name Michael , which means "Who is like God."It was rare in any country until it became fashionable in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the 1950s to 1970s...
, Mechelle, Micheline, and Michaelle, although Michael is occasionally seen as a female name, with women named Michael including actresses Michael Learned
Michael Learned
Michael Learned is an American actress known for her role as Olivia Walton on The Waltons.-Personal life:Learned was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Elizabeth Duane "Betti" and Bruce Learned, a diplomat. Her maternal grandfather was an attaché for the United States Embassy in Rome...
and Michael Michele
Michael Michele
Michael Michele is an American film and television actress. She played Dr. Cleo Finch on the medical drama ER and Det. Rene Sheppard on the police procedural Homicide: Life on the Street...
. Another form is Mychal, which can either be a male or female name. Surnames that come from Michael include Carmichael, Dimichele, MacMichael
MacMichael (surname)
The surname MacMichael may refer to:* Harold MacMichael , British colonial administrator* David MacMichael, former Central Intelligence Agency analyst...
, McMichael, Micallef
Micallef
Micallef is a Maltese surname. It has been recorded in Malta since ancient times, and its origins probably lie in the name Micali, a variant of Michael . However, another possible derivation for the surname is the Maltese word "mħallef", which means 'judge', and thus its origin is not certain...
, Michaelson
Michaelson (name)
Michaelson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Michael". A common English language surname, there are other English and Scandinavian spellings. It is rare as a given name. People with the name Michaelson include:...
, Mikhaylov, Mykhaylenko, Michaels
Michaels (name)
Michaels is an patronymic surname meaning "son of Michael". The prefix Michael- comes from ), meaning "Who is like God?". A common English language surname, it is rare as a given name. There are other spellings...
and Mitchell
Mitchell (surname)
Mitchell is an English surname, the surname is generally derived from the Middle English and Old French personal name Michel which is the vernacular form of the personal name Michael. In some cases the surname is derived from a nickname for a big man which is derived from the Middle English michel,...
.
Etymology
The name first appears in the BibleBible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, Numbers
Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible, and the fourth of five books of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch....
, where Sethur the son of Michael is one of twelve spies sent into the Land of Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
. The Archangel
Archangel
An archangel is an angel of high rank. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels in Judaism and by most Christians. Michael is the only archangel specifically named in the Protestant Bible...
Michael
Michael (archangel)
Michael , Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; , Mikhaḗl; or Míchaël; , Mīkhā'īl) is an archangel in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans refer to him as Saint Michael the Archangel and also simply as Saint Michael...
, referred to later in the Bible (Daniel
Book of Daniel
The Book of Daniel is a book in the Hebrew Bible. The book tells of how Daniel, and his Judean companions, were inducted into Babylon during Jewish exile, and how their positions elevated in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. The court tales span events that occur during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar,...
), is considered a saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
by the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and Eastern Orthodox Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
. 29 September is the feast day
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
of the three archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
Popularity
Michael is a popular name in the United States, and has been in the top three most popular name given to male babies in the U.S. for each year since 1954. It is in the top 50 most popular boys' names in England and WalesEngland and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
. The name has been popular in Orthodox Christian
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
countries, and was borne by several rulers of the Byzantine
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
and Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
s. In recent years, Michael has been the most popular name in the Philippines, the second most popular name in Finland (Mikael) and ranks among the top ten names in Denmark (Mikkel) and Ireland. It is the 23rd most popular name in Canada, and the 37th most popular in Mexico (in the form of 'Miguel').
Short form and other versions
"Mike", "Mick", "Mikiel", "Mikey", "Mikael", "Mic", "Mishka" (common in Russia) and "Mickey" are short forms of, or nicknames for, Michael as a given name. "Mick" is commonly associated with Irish people.The Irish language version of the name Michael is usually spelt Mícheál but is also sometimes spelt Micheál or simply Micheal. Meik and Maik are German short forms of Michael. The German pronunciation of both variants is identical to the English pronunciation of "Mike", since both are directly derived from their English counterparts. Similarly, the Welsh versions "Meical" and "Meic" are pronounced in the same way as their corresponding English analogues. Michiel (mee-KHEEL) is Dutch and the Dutch given name "Chiel" is a variation of Michiel. Mikael, Mikell, Mikkel are Scandinavian. In Swedish, "Micke" is a nickname for "Mikael" (also spelt "Michael").
In Greek "Μιχάλης" ("Michalis" or "Mihalis") is an everyday common form of the "Μιχαήλ" ("Michail" or "Mihail"). "Miķelis" is the Latvian form for Michael. In Russian, "Миша" ("Mischa" or "Misha") is a shortened form of "Михаил" (Mikhail). "Мишка" (Mishka) is a common diminutive form, "Миха" (Mikha) is an informal shortened form, and "Михайлович" (Mikhaylovich) is a patronymic
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
form that can be shortened to more informal "Михалыч" (Mikhalych). Michal is Czech and Slovak. Michał is Polish; Miko is Slavic. Mëhill or Mhill is the Albanian for Michael. The first belongs to the southern (Tosk) dialect, the second to the northern (Gheg) dialect.
In Hebrew, "מיכה" (Mikha) is a common shortened form of "מיכאל" (Mikha'el). In Arabic," میکائیل" (Mikā'īl).
Miquel (or Quelo in its shortened version) is the Catalan form for Michael.
Miguel is a Spanish and Portuguese form; Michel is French and popular in the Netherlands. In French, both forms are popular: Michel and Mickaël.
Byzantine emperors
- Michael I RangabeMichael I RangabeMichael I Rangabes was Byzantine Emperor from 811 to 813.Michael was the son of the patrician Theophylaktos Rangabes, the admiral of the Aegean fleet...
(unknown-844), married the daughter of Emperor Nikephoros I - Michael IIMichael IIMichael II , surnamed the Amorian or the Stammerer , reigned as Byzantine emperor from December 820 to his death on 2 October 829, and the first ruler of the Phrygian or Amorian dynasty....
(770–829), also called "the Stammerer" - Michael IIIMichael IIIMichael III , , Byzantine Emperor from 842 to 867. Michael III was the third and traditionally last member of the Amorian-Phrygian Dynasty...
(840–867), also called "the Drunkard", youngest child of Emperor Theophilos - Michael IV the Paphlagonian (1010–1041), came from a peasant family
- Michael VMichael VMichael V "the Caulker" or Kalaphates , , was Byzantine emperor for 4 months in 1041–1042, as the nephew and successor of Michael IV and the adoptive son of his wife, the Empress Zoe.Michael V was the son of Stephen by Maria, a sister of Emperor Michael IV...
(1015–1042), nephew of Michael IV - Michael VI Stratiotikos (unknown–1059), chosen by the empress Theodora as her successor
- Michael VII Doukas (c1050–1078), eldest son of Constantine X Doukas
- Michael VIII PalaiologosMichael VIII PalaiologosMichael VIII Palaiologos or Palaeologus reigned as Byzantine Emperor 1259–1282. Michael VIII was the founder of the Palaiologan dynasty that would rule the Byzantine Empire until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453...
(1223–1282), founder of the Palaeologan dynasty - Michael IX PalaiologosMichael IX PalaiologosMichael IX Palaiologos or Palaeologus , , reigned as Byzantine co-emperor with full imperial style 1294/1295–1320...
(1277–1320), eldest son of Andronikos II Palaiologos
Russian rulers
- Mikhail of VladimirMikhail of VladimirMikhalko Yuryevich , Prince of Torchesk , Vladimir and Suzdal and Grand Prince of Kiev ....
(unknown–1176), eldest son of Yuri Dolgoruky by his second marriage - Mikhail YaroslavichMikhail YaroslavichMikhail Yaroslavich , also known as Michael of Tver or Michael the Saint, was a Prince of Tver who ruled as Grand Prince of Vladimir from 1304 until 1314 and again from 1315-1318...
(1271–1318), second son of Yaroslav III - Michael I of Russia (1596–1645), first Russian Tsar of the house of Romanov
- Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia was the youngest son of Emperor Alexander III of Russia.At the time of his birth, his paternal grandfather was still the reigning Emperor of All the Russias. Michael was fourth-in-line to the throne following his father and elder brothers Nicholas and...
(1917), the younger brother of Tsar Nicholas II
King of Poland
- Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki (1640–1673), King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
King and Princes of Portugal
- Miguel da Paz, Prince of Asturias (1498–1500), son of King Manuel I of Portugal
- Miguel de BragançaMiguel de BragançaDom Michael of Braganza was a Portuguese nobleman, illegitimate son of King Pedro II of Portugal and Ana Armanda Pastre de Verger...
(1699–1724), illegitimate son of King Pedro II of Portugal, drowned - Miguel of PortugalMiguel of PortugalDom Miguel I, sometimes Michael , was the King of Portugal between 1828 and 1834, the seventh child and second son of King John VI and his queen, Charlotte of Spain....
(1802–1866), forced to abdicate in 1834 - Miguel, Duke of Braganza (1853–1927), claimant to the throne in exile
- Prince Miguel, Duke of Viseu (1878–1923), eldest son of Miguel, Duke of Braganza
Rulers of Romania
- Michael the Brave (1558–1601), Prince of Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia
- Michael of Romania (born 1921), forced to abdicate by the communists in 1947
Tsar of Bulgaria
- Boris I of BulgariaBoris I of BulgariaBoris I, also known as Boris-Mihail and Bogoris was the Knyaz of First Bulgarian Empire in 852–889. At the time of his baptism in 864, Boris was named Michael after his godfather, Emperor Michael III...
(unknown-907), sometimes known as Boris-Mihail - Michael Asen I of BulgariaMichael Asen I of BulgariaMichael II Asen of Bulgaria , ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1246 to 1256. He was the son of Ivan Asen II and his third wife Irene Komnene of Epirus , daughter of Theodore I Ducas of the Despotate of Epirus...
(1238/1241-1256), son of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria - Michael Asen II of BulgariaMichael Asen II of BulgariaMichael Asen II , ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1277 to 1279. Michael Asen II was the only known son of...
(1270-after 1302), only known son of Constantine Tikh of Bulgaria - Michael Shishman of BulgariaMichael Shishman of BulgariaMichael Asen III ), ruled as emperor of Bulgaria from 1323 to 1330. The exact year of his birth is unknown but it was between 1280 and 1292. He was the founder of the last ruling dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Shishman dynasty...
(after 1280–1330), also known as Michael Asen III
British Royal Family
- Prince Michael of KentPrince Michael of KentPrince Michael of Kent is a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary, making him a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. He is also the first cousin once removed of Prince Phillip. Prince Michael occasionally carries out royal duties representing the Queen at some functions in Commonwealth realms outside...
(born 1942), cousin of Elizabeth II - Princess Michael of KentPrincess Michael of KentPrincess Michael of Kent is an Austrian-Hungarian member of the British Royal Family. She is married to Prince Michael of Kent, who is a grandson of King George V....
(born 1945), author and wife of Prince Michael
See also
- Michael (ship)Michael (ship)Michael was a carrack or great ship of the Royal Scottish Navy. She was too large to be built at any existing Scottish dockyard, so was built at the new dock at Newhaven, constructed in 1504 by order of King James IV of Scotland...
, a Carrack of the 16th century Kingdom of Scotland. - Mike (disambiguation), common name derived from Michael, with other meanings
- Micky (disambiguation), common name derived from Michael
- Mick and similar (disambiguation)Mick and similar (disambiguation)Words and names similar to "Mick" include:* MIC * MICS * Mike * Mickey * Micky* Micki* Miki * Mikki* Miky* Mikey * Mick * Mic...
, other variants, derivations, and similar sounding names - Michaels (disambiguation)Michaels (disambiguation)-Other uses:* Michaels, California, former name of Coarsegold, California* Associated with contract bridge game:** Leaping Michaels** Michaels cuebid* Dutton & Michaels, Chinese photographic studio...
- Saint Michael (disambiguation)Saint Michael (disambiguation)Saint Michael or Saint Michaels may refer to:* Michael , the Biblical archangel for whom the other St. Michaels are named* The Order of Saint Michael, a French chivalric order...
- MichelMichel (name)Michel is both a given name and a surname. The given name is an English and German form of the personal name Michael. The surname has several different origins. When the name originates from France, Germany and the Netherlands it is also a form of the personal name Michael. The Basque name is a...
, French language variant of Michael - Mibuel (disambiguation), Spanish and Portuguese language variant of Michael
- Michele, Italian language variant of Michael
- Michela
- MikkoMikkoMikko is a Finnish men's given name and equivalent of the English name Michael, having been borrowed into the ancestral Finno-Ugric languages. The given name Mikko is shared by the following notable people:* Mikko Alatalo, Finnish musician and politician...
, Finnish (Finno-Ugric) variant of Michael - Misha (disambiguation)Misha (disambiguation)Misha is a diminutive of the Russian name Михаил . A, hypocoristic of Michael, its English-language equivalent would be Mike. Non-Russian usages often have it as a female name, and sometimes as Mischa.-People:...
- List of most popular given names
- Theophory in the BibleTheophory in the BibleTheophory refers to the practice of embedding the name of a god or a deity in, usually, a proper name. Much Hebrew theophory occurs in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament...