Michael: meaning of the Hebrew name
מִיכָאֵל
Pronounced mee-khah-EL
Meaning of Michael
Michael is written מיכאל or מכאל in Hebrew. These are spellings of the same name.
מיכאל Boy, Biblical
Michael is a question: mi ka-el, "who is like God?" It is the name of the angel Michael, the great prince who stands guard over Israel, mentioned in the Book of Daniel.
מכאל Boy, Biblical
This is a shortened spelling of Michael, which asks mi ka-El, who is like God? Michael is the angel named in the Book of Daniel as the guardian prince of Israel.
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I was left over there beside the kings of Persia.
וְשַׂר ׀ מַלְכוּת פָּרַס עֹמֵד לְנֶגְדִּי עֶשְׂרִים וְאֶחָד יוֹם וְהִנֵּה מִיכָאֵל אַחַד הַשָּׂרִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים בָּא לְעׇזְרֵנִי וַאֲנִי נוֹתַרְתִּי שָׁם אֵצֶל מַלְכֵי פָרָס׃
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
וּבָעֵת הַהִיא יַעֲמֹד מִיכָאֵל הַשַּׂר הַגָּדוֹל הָעֹמֵד עַל־בְּנֵי עַמֶּךָ וְהָיְתָה עֵת צָרָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא־נִהְיְתָה מִהְיוֹת גּוֹי עַד הָעֵת הַהִיא וּבָעֵת הַהִיא יִמָּלֵט עַמְּךָ כׇּל־הַנִּמְצָא כָּתוּב בַּסֵּפֶר׃
Michael in Hebrew
Michael is written מיכאל in Hebrew (with vowel points: מִיכָאֵל). Other spellings: מכאל. Hebrew is read from right to left.
- מMem
- יYod
- כKaf
- אAlef
- לLamed
Gematria value: 101 (Mem 40 + Yod 10 + Kaf 20 + Alef 1 + Lamed 30)
About the name
- GenderBoy
- OriginBiblical
- Meaningwho is like God?
- Pronunciationmee-khah-EL
- Hebrewמיכאל
- Syllables3
- Other spellingsמכאל
Popularity in Israel
מיכאל
In 2024, Michael (מיכאל) ranked #15 among boys' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (892 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #15, in 2023 and 2024.
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | 892 |
| 2023 | 15 | 854 |
| 2022 | 20 | 792 |
| 2021 | 20 | 788 |
| 2020 | 22 | 738 |
| 2019 | 21 | 758 |
| 2018 | 19 | 768 |
| 2017 | 20 | 765 |
| 2016 | 23 | 748 |
| 2015 | 23 | 703 |
| 2014 | 23 | 651 |
Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), first names given to Jewish newborns, 2014-2024. Ranks cover the 150 most common names per year.
Similar names
Questions about Michael
What does the name Michael mean?
Michael is a question: mi ka-el, "who is like God?" It is the name of the angel Michael, the great prince who stands guard over Israel, mentioned in the Book of Daniel.
How do you pronounce Michael?
Michael is pronounced mee-khah-EL in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Michael in Hebrew?
Michael is written מיכאל in Hebrew (with vowel points: מִיכָאֵל). Other spellings: מכאל.
Is Michael a biblical name?
Yes. Michael appears in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 10:13 (spelled מיכאל) and Daniel 12:1 (spelled מכאל).
How popular is the name Michael in Israel?
In 2024, Michael (מיכאל) ranked #15 among boys' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (892 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #15, in 2023 and 2024. Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Michael?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling מיכאל adds up to 101 (Mem 40 + Yod 10 + Kaf 20 + Alef 1 + Lamed 30).
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