The first name Michelle

In 2025, 124 girls were named Michelle, making it the 346th most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 285 births (#153).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Michelle with other names.

In 2025, 661 girls born in the United States were named Michelle, the 465th most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1969, when 34,319 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames for Michelle

• Mich
• Miki

• Michelle Pfeiffer
  American actress (born 1958)
• Michelle Rodriguez
  American actress, born 1978
• Michelle Williams
  American actress (born 1980)
• Sarah Michelle Gellar
  American actress (born 1977)
• Michelle Trachtenberg
  American actress (1985–2025)
• Michelle Monaghan
  American actress (born 1976)
• Michelle Kwan
  American figure skater and diplomat, born 1980
• Michelle Branch
  American singer, songwriter and musician, born 1983
• Michelle Akers
  American soccer player (born 1966)
• Michelle Phillips
  American singer and actress, born 1944
• Michelle Dockery
  British actress, born 1981
• Michelle Creber
  Canadian actress, born 1999

• Ava
• Isabella
• Elizabeth
• Jessica
• Maria
• Abigail
• Maya
• Hannah
• Elsie
• Sarah
• Aria
• Molly
• Eliza
• Leah
• Delilah
• Isabel

All 346 names of Hebrew origin

What does the name Michelle mean?

Michelle means “michael”, “who is like god?” in Hebrew.

What is the origin of the name Michelle?

Borrowed from French Michelle, feminine form of French Michel (“Michael”), Hebrew מִיכָאֵל (mikhaél, “who is like God?”). Doublet of Michaela.

How popular is the name Michelle?

In 2025, 124 girls born in England and Wales were named Michelle, ranking 346th. Its peak was 1996, with 285 births.

What are nicknames for Michelle?

Common nicknames for Michelle include Mich, Miki.

Is Michelle a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 819,760 US babies named Michelle since 1880 were girls.

When was Michelle most popular?

1969 in the United States, when 34,319 babies were named Michelle, its highest rank at 2nd.

How do you pronounce Michelle?

Michelle is /mɪˈʃɛl/, 2 syllables.

What are other spellings of Michelle?

Michele, Shelley and Mish.

Is Michelle also a surname?

Yes. Michelle is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.