Michal: meaning of the Hebrew name
מִיכַל
Pronounced mee-KHAL
Meaning of Michal
Michal was the daughter of King Saul and David's first wife, who loved him and saved his life. Some explain the name as a short form of mi ka-el, "who is like God?"
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the first-born Merab, and the name of the younger Michal;
וַיִּהְיוּ בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל יוֹנָתָן וְיִשְׁוִי וּמַלְכִּישׁוּעַ וְשֵׁם שְׁתֵּי בְנֹתָיו שֵׁם הַבְּכִירָה מֵרַב וְשֵׁם הַקְּטַנָּה מִיכַל׃
Michal in Hebrew
Michal is written מיכל in Hebrew (with vowel points: מִיכַל). Hebrew is read from right to left.
- מMem
- יYod
- כKaf
- לLamed
Gematria value: 100 (Mem 40 + Yod 10 + Kaf 20 + Lamed 30)
About the name
- GenderGirl
- OriginBiblical
- Meaningwho is like God?
- Pronunciationmee-KHAL
- Hebrewמיכל
- Syllables2
Popularity in Israel
In 2024, Michal ranked #26 among girls' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (576 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #13, in 2014.
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26 | 576 |
| 2023 | 20 | 638 |
| 2022 | 19 | 651 |
| 2021 | 20 | 657 |
| 2020 | 19 | 657 |
| 2019 | 21 | 676 |
| 2018 | 20 | 706 |
| 2017 | 16 | 757 |
| 2016 | 21 | 713 |
| 2015 | 16 | 756 |
| 2014 | 13 | 810 |
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 Michal
What does the name Michal mean?
Michal was the daughter of King Saul and David's first wife, who loved him and saved his life. Some explain the name as a short form of mi ka-el, "who is like God?"
How do you pronounce Michal?
Michal is pronounced mee-KHAL in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Michal in Hebrew?
Michal is written מיכל in Hebrew (with vowel points: מִיכַל).
Is Michal a biblical name?
Yes. Michal appears in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Samuel 14:49.
How popular is the name Michal in Israel?
In 2024, Michal ranked #26 among girls' names given to Jewish newborns in Israel (576 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #13, in 2014. Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Michal?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling מיכל adds up to 100 (Mem 40 + Yod 10 + Kaf 20 + Lamed 30).
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This name in Hebrew: מיכל
