Michael ( /ˈmaɪkəl/), also occasionally Micheal, is a given name that comes from the Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל / מיכאל (Mikha'el), derived from the question מי כאל (mi k'ʔel) meaning "Who is like God?" In English, it is sometimes shortened to Mike, Mikey, Mickey, or Mick.
Female forms of Michael include Michèle, 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, Mikkelsen, Mikhaylov, Mykhaylenko, Michaels and Mitchell.
Read more about Michael: Etymology, Popularity, Short Form and Other Versions
Famous quotes containing the word michael:
“While Michael Angelo’s Sistine roof,
His “Morning” and his “Night” disclose
How sinew that has been pulled tight,
Or it may be loosened in repose,
Can rule by supernatural right
Yet be but sinew.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence.”
—John Michael Hayes (b. 1919)