The first name Mikel
A boy’s name from Basque.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Basque origin
Borrowed from Basque Mikel.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 10 boys were named Mikel, making it the 2,269th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 24 births (#1,119).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Mikel with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Mikel at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 81 boys born in the United States were named Mikel, the 1,930th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2004, when 201 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.
Famous people named Mikel
5 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Mikel LaboaBasque singer-songwriter from Donostia (1934-2008)
- Mikel KoliqiCatholic cardinal (1902-1997)
- Mikel Brown Jr.American basketball player (born 2006)
- Mikel GogorzaDanish association footballer (born 2006)
- Kel MarubiAlbanian photographer (1870–1940)
Questions
- What does the name Mikel mean?
- Borrowed from Basque Mikel.
- What is the origin of the name Mikel?
- Borrowed from Basque Mikel.
- How popular is the name Mikel?
- In 2025, 10 boys born in England and Wales were named Mikel, ranking 2,269th. Its peak was 2012, with 24 births.
- Is Mikel a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 12,554 US babies named Mikel since 1880, 8% were girls and 92% boys.
- When was Mikel most popular?
- 2004 in the United States, when 201 babies were named Mikel, its highest rank at 872nd.
- Is Mikel also a surname?
- Yes. Mikel is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.